Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga hopes hit by draw against struggling Bochum

The Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund’s title chances suffered a serious blow on Friday after they stumbled to a 1-1 draw at struggling Bochum.

Dortmund are on 61 points, two points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich with four matches remaining, who will move top if they beat bottom club Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

The head coach, Edin Terzic, was left fuming with the referee and VAR following the denial of two late penalty claims.

“It is very bitter for us. It was an intense game but we had our chances,” Terzic said. “I am sorry for my tone and my emotions but I said it last week that for us and also for me this is maybe the only chance in our lives to get so close to the title.

“Then you have such decisions when so much is at stake. The only thing I asked the referees was to look at it again.”

The visitors went 1-0 down after five minutes following Anthony Losilla’s thunderous strike from just outside the penalty area. Yet Bochum’s joy only lasted two minutes as the unmarked Karim Adeyemi tapped in at the far post.

The equaliser failed to inject any urgency into Dortmund’s performance, however, despite Terzic urging them on from the sidelines.

Their best chances in the second half only came after the introduction of Marco Reus in the 73rd minute, with the midfielder setting up Youssoufa Moukoko, but his effort was parried by the Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann.

Riemann pulled off a better save in the 76th to deny Jude Bellingham before Donyell Malen, who had scored in the previous five games, put the ball just wide with a backheel.

With Terzic booked for dissent after the 90-minute mark, Dortmund ran out of time, and will discover on Sunday how badly their title chances have been hit following Bayern Munich’s result against Hertha.

In Italy, meanwhile, Napoli fans preparing to celebrate the club’s first league title since 1990 have been told to steer clear of Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that overlooks the southern city of Naples.

National park authorities became concerned at reports that Napoli’s fans plan to set off flares to light up Vesuvius should the team clinch the title on Sunday.

Runaway leaders Napoli will secure the club’s third Serie A crown if they beat visitors Salernitana, and second-placed Lazio drop points against Internazionale at San Siro.

“We are all pleased for Napoli’s success which will bring honour to our region and great joy for people,” said the Vesuvius park commissioner, Raffaele De Luca. “But the celebrations must remain within the limits of civil behaviour.”