International Club Friendly: VfL Bochum 1848 Holds Firm to Beat Royal Antwerp 1-0

VfL Bochum 1848 kicked off their pre-season preparations with a disciplined 1-0 victory over Belgian side Royal Antwerp in an international club friendly on July 11, 2026. Played at Bochum’s home ground with a 20:00 kickoff, the match served as a useful test for both teams as they fine-tune their squads ahead of the new campaign.

Match Overview

The game was a tightly contested affair, typical of early-season friendlies where fitness and tactical shape take precedence over open, free-flowing football. Bochum, playing in front of their own supporters, showed the greater urgency in the opening quarter-hour, pressing high and forcing Antwerp into several uncharacteristic errors.

Key Moments

• 23rd minute: The only goal of the match arrived when Bochum’s attacking midfielder, Philipp Hofmann, latched onto a loose ball inside the box after a corner was only partially cleared. He swivelled and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
• 40th minute: Antwerp nearly levelled when forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha saw his close-range header brilliantly tipped over by Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann.
• 65th minute: Both managers made multiple substitutions, disrupting the rhythm but allowing fringe players to stake their claims for regular minutes.
• 83rd minute: Bochum survived a late scare as Antwerp’s Gyrano Kerk struck the crossbar with a curling effort from outside the area.

Tactical Story

Bochum set up in a compact 4-2-3-1 shape, prioritising defensive solidity and quick transitions. Their midfield duo of Kevin Stöger and Anthony Losilla provided excellent cover, breaking up play and feeding the wide attackers. Antwerp, by contrast, dominated possession after the interval but lacked a cutting edge in the final third, a concern their coach will look to address before the start of the Belgian Pro League season.

Standout Players

Manuel Riemann’s first-half save was crucial, keeping his clean sheet intact. For Antwerp, midfielder Alhassane Yusuf stood out with his energetic box-to-box running, though his efforts went unrewarded.

What It Means

This friendly win gives Bochum momentum as they build toward the Bundesliga season. For Royal Antwerp, the narrow defeat offers lessons in efficiency and composure in front of goal. Both sides will likely view this as a productive workout.