Berlin, April 29 (BNA): Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund’s chances were dealt a heavy blow on Friday after they drew 1-1 at home to struggling Bochum in the Ruhr mini-derby.
With four matches remaining, Dortmund have 61 points, two points behind second-placed Bayern Munich, who will take top spot if they beat bottom club Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
Reuters reports that Dortmund appeared to be far from serious challengers, chasing their first Bundesliga title in 11 years, and struggling to break down Bochum’s staunch defence.
They also felt the wrath of the referee and VAR after two penalty claims late in the match.
The visitors found themselves trailing 1-0 five minutes later when Anthony Lucila’s thunderous strike from outside the penalty area.
However, Bochum’s joy was only short-lived for two minutes when an unmarked Karim Adeyemi tapped in into the far corner to equalise.
But the goal failed to inject any sense of urgency into the Dortmund game, with Terzic screaming wildly from the sidelines.
They thought they had a penalty when Adeyemi went down in the penalty area in the 65th minute but the referee waved play off.
Their best chance came in the second half after the introduction of Marco Reus in the 73rd minute, setting up midfielder Youssouf Moukoko, but his effort was saved by Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Reimann.
Reiman made a better save in the 76th minute to deny Judd Bellingham before Donyell Malen, who had scored in the previous five matches, sent the ball wide with a sensational back-heel.
Dortmund hit the ball into the net in stoppage time, but Mats Hummels, who was heading in, looked offside. The visitors had also wanted a penalty earlier in the Bochum handball transfer.
With Terzic booking the opposition in injury time, Bellingham headed in the last moments on goal and Dortmund eventually ran out time. They will now have to wait for Sunday’s result in Munich to see what their title chances look like.
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