Randal Kolo Muani added another goal to his tally, but Eintracht Frankfurt were unable to get more than a point as they were held 1-1 by a brave Bochum side in the Matchday 26 opener.

Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Bochum
Goals: 0-1 Asano (14'), 1-1 Kolo Muani (pen. 22')

There was a lively start to the encounter as both sides looked to kick on after the season’s final international break – with Frankfurt seeking to reinject momentum into their bid for European qualification and Bochum wanting to build on two successive wins that has left some breathing space between them and the relegation spots. After the visitors had the first attack, Frankfurt enjoyed the better of the opening few minutes, with Rafael Borre spurning a chance for a quick lead before Takuma Asano stunned the hosts from a Christopher Antwi-Adjei long throw, turning in the reboudn after Kevin Trapp had saved Anthony Losilla's shot. The Eagles showed character by quickly striking level as talisman Kolo Muani was bundled down for a penalty by Ivan Ordets and converted himself from the spot. Frankfurt pressed on looking for a lead before the break, but Bochum sat back and saw out the pressure without any huge openings resulting in the remainder of the first period.

Frankfurt continued to control the play at the start of the second half but had to bide their time with Bochum’s robust defence in no mood to budge. Appeals for a penalty when Buta went down under a challenge from Antwi-Adjei were waved away. Philipp Max squeezed a free-kick under the wall that Manuel Riemann saved and Borre had a header cleared off the line by Konstantinos Stafylidis. Bochum had not given up their own attacking ambitions though. Kevin Stöger dipped a free-kick onto the crossbar, and Losilla headed over in space at the far post from another set piece as they threatened to snatch the lead once more against the run of play. As much as they wanted the points, however, Frankfurt lacked a cutting edge in their attacking endeavours and were unable to add to the scoreline before the final whistle.

Match stats

• Kolo Muani is the Bundesliga's highest scorer in 2023, having scored seven goals now this calendar year.
• Frankfurt had won their last five home meetings with Bochum in all competitions before tonight.
• Borre had seven shots - almost as many as the entire Bochum team (eight).
• Both of Asano's two goals this season have come in the Rückrunde.
• Bochum have conceded a league-high 13 penalties this term.
• This was Thomas Letsch's first draw in the Bundesliga in his 19th match in the competition.

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Teams

Frankfurt: Trapp - Jakic, Hasebe, Ndicka - Buta, Rode (c) (Kamada 74'), Sow, Max - Borre, Götze (Alario 79') - Kolo Muani
Unused subs: Ramaj, Alidou, Chandler, Dine Ebimbe, Wenig, Aaronson, Knauff
Out: Lindstrom (ankle), Smolcic (knee), Toure (thigh), Tuta (suspended)
Coach: Oliver Glasner

Bochum: Riemann - Stafylidis, Ordets (Schlotterbeck 63'), Masovic, Heintz (Lampropoulos 84') - Stöger (Zoller 84'), Losilla (c), Osterhage - Asano (Broschinski 85'), Hofmann, Antwi-Adjei
Unused subs: Esser, Osei-Tutu, Janko, Förster, Holtmann
Out: Gamboa (knee), Soares (suspended)
Coach: Thomas Letsch

About the clubs

VfL Bochum 1848

Vonovia Ruhrstadion

Eintracht Frankfurt

Deutsche Bank Park