The youngest pro stole the show from everyone else. Accompanied by the ovations of the fans, Youssoufa Moukoko left the pitch in the 82nd minute. With two dream goals (8th / 45th 2), the only 17-year-old attacker played a leading role in the 3-0 (3-0) over VfL Bochum.
He not only collected further arguments for a regular place in the club, but also for a place in the squad of the German national team at the World Cup tournament in Qatar.
“To be honest, I don’t care,” Moukoko answered questions about his World Cup chance with played indifference on Sky. However, further inquiries drew him out of the reserve: “I would like to be there, but we’ll see on Thursday who’s there,” he said, referring to the nomination that was due that day.
age record
Moukoko has now scored eleven Bundesliga goals across the seasons – no professional was younger at this brand. Moukoko has meanwhile won the club’s internal duel for the coach’s favor with newcomer Anthony Modeste. Edin Terzic raved about the remarkable development of the young professional, who scored his first Bundesliga brace: “He’s extremely talented and wants to improve every day. He’s made a huge step. He’s always playable and uses his body much better “, the BVB coach judged, but warned against too much hype: “Just as we protected him when he shot the balls next to the goal, it will continue now. He is and will remain 17.”
Goals from Moukoko and Giovanni Reyna (12th penalty kick) helped BVB to their third Bundesliga win in a row. This means that the Revierclub remains within striking distance of title favorites FC Bayern, three points behind. But what the win over Bochum is really worth will only become clear in the tough away games in Wolfsburg and Mönchengladbach that follow. “Now there are still two important tasks waiting for us – we have created a good basis for them today,” said Terzic and called on his professionals to do their last feats of strength before the World Cup break: “We want to give it our all again.”
In these two trend-setting games, Marco Reus should also get more game shares. After a forced break of weeks and a short 23-minute mission against Bochum, the BVB captain is eager to recommend himself to national coach Hansi Flick for a World Cup spot despite the long downtime. According to Terzic, a decision should be made at short notice “how much is enough on Tuesday,” Terzic said with a view to the game in Wolfsburg. “I am sure that we can increase the intensity and the duration of the load with each passing day. It is important that he can still collect minutes.”
Away weak Bochumer
The break for Bochum until the game against Mönchengladbach on Tuesday is just as short as for BVB. To the relief of the new coach Thomas Leitsch, this game will not take place away, but at home. After all, his team is the worst away team in the league with zero points and a goal difference of 4:22. Another record increases concerns about relegation: only seven points and thus less than ever before after 13 match days.
This is probably one of the reasons why Letsch – in contrast to his usual custom – gave a speech to the team immediately after the end of the game. “Today it was important to encourage my team,” commented the coach.
