After goals from Timo Hübers and Anthony Modeste had cancelled out Gerrit Holtmann's opener for Bochum, the battling hosts pegged Cologne back via Takuma Asano's strike in an enthralling 2-2 draw at the Ruhrstadion.

Bochum 2-2 Cologne
Goals: 1-0 Holtmann 25' (assist: Locadia), 1-1 Hübers 36' (assist: Özcan), 1-2 Modeste 45' (assist: Kainz), 2-2 Asano 70' (assist: Polter)

Winless in their previous three home games, Bochum showed their intent to put that right with Thomas Reis's team bossing the early exchanges. Milos Pantovic and Elvis Rexhbecaj soon tested their range before Eduard Löwen cracked a shot wide as the hosts applied the pressure. Bochum alleviated some of the disappointment of a 1-0 reverse against Mainz in their last Bundesliga match with a DFB Cup win against the same opponents in midweek. The hosts' celebrations of advancing to the quarter-finals spilled over here in the 26th minute when Gerrit Holtmann rounded off a fine counter-attack with a low finish. Cologne may have grown used to conceding on the road this term - indeed they have done so in every away game - but their fine record on their travels in 2021/22 was what spelled danger for the hosts. Sure enough, the Billy-Goats had the game turned on its head before the break, Timo Hübers scoring from a corner and Anthony Modeste adding his side's second with an exquisite lob to bring his tally for the campaign to 13.

Bochum - who had conceded two goals only once before at the Ruhrstadion this term - were visibly irked trailing in a game they had largely dominated. Holtmann sought to redress matters with a shot that was blocked out by Marvin Schwäbe. Löwen then struck over as the men in blue continued to squeeze. The handful of home fans gathered inside the ground sensed something was coming after Armel Bella-Kotchap's effort from distance zipped over the bar. Their gut feelings were justified. After a throw in caused utter confusion inside the visitors' box, substitute Takuma Asano swept home the equaliser. Asano and Danilo Soares had subsequent chances to nick it before the end, but Cologne held out and the points were shared.

Watch: Locadia: "We'll have no problems staying in the Bundesliga"

Match stats

• Timo Hübers celebrated his first Bundesliga goal in what was his 13th top-flight game.
• Hübers' 36th-minute strike also represented the first time a Cologne defender was on the scoresheet this term.
• Holtmann now has three Bundesliga goals, a personal best for the winger in a single season.
• Cologne clocked up almost 2.5 miles more than their opponents in the first half.
• Ten of Modeste's 13 Bundesliga goals this season have been headers - the most across Europe's top five leagues. Six have fallen on the road.
• Cologne are unbeaten in their previous six Bundesliga meetings with Bochum, winning three.
• The Billy Goats have been beaten just three times (W2, D5), but are yet to keep a clean sheet away from home in 2021/22

Watch: Steffen Baumgart: "We'll take the point"

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Line-ups

Bochum: Riemann - Stafylidis (Gamboa 65'), Bella-Kotchap, Leitsch, Soares - Löwen, Losilla (c), Rexhbecaj (Osterhage 82') – Pantovic (Asano 65'), Locadia (Polter 56'), Holtmann (Antwi-Adjei 82')
Unused subs: Esser, Masovic, Tesche, Lampropoulos
Out: Blum (muscular), Grave (shoulder), Zoller (knee)
Coach: Thomas Reis

Cologne: Schwäbe - Schmitz (Ehizibue 80'), Kilian, Hübers, Hector (c) - Özcan - Schaub (Thielmann 61'), Duda (Horn 61'), Kainz (Schindler 80') - Modeste, Ljubicic (Uth 65')
Unused subs: Urbig, Andersson, Lemperle, Ostrak
Out: T. Horn (match fitness), Köbbing (knee), Obuz (illness), Skhiri (Africa Cup of Nations)
Coach: Steffen Baumgart

About the clubs

VfL Bochum 1848

Vonovia Ruhrstadion

1. FSV Mainz 05

MEWA ARENA