Though bottom at kick-off, Bochum began with greater intent as Masouras immediately forced a corner, before drawing the first save of note from Gregor Kobel when he latched onto a fortunate deflection inside the area and brought out the best in the Swiss stopper’s reflexes.
Far from being put off by that, the Greek forward persevered and was rewarded just after the half-hour mark, when good interplay between Tom Krauss and Philipp Hofmann saw the latter roll a pass to the back post for Masouras to tap in and get off the mark in Bochum colours.
Less than two minutes later, the former Olympiacos man was suddenly on for a hat-trick, doubling up when pressing from Krauss forced Niklas Sule into a woefully underhit back pass. Once more the shrewd predator, Masouras took the ball in his stride and picked his spot past a committed Kobel.
A 2-0 lead by this point was fully deserved, though with Bochum falling to a 4-2 defeat from the same position in the reverse fixture, there was something of a cautionary note to end the half on.
Indeed, more composure from Serhou Guirassy just before half-time – when he fired over after a failed clearance from Ivan Ordets at the end of a ball upfield – would have seen the complexion of the game change.
The Guinean also had the first opening of the second half, with an interception preventing him from threatening, just before Julian Brandt hit a free-kick straight at the Bochum wall.
The expected Dortmund storm was short-lived though, and after Gerrit Holtmann fired inches over the crossbar, Masouras came agonisingly close to completing a dream hat-trick. Once again, Dortmund’s dithering defence was its own worst enemy, as Julien Duranville gave the ball away and the Greek shook off his initial attempt to tackle, going on a solo run slightly left of goal. This time, however, Kobel managed to pull off two quickfire saves as Masouras tried to shoot, while his third attempt hit the side netting as the angle became too tight, on top of Duranville giving chase and applying pressure.
Dortmund continued to lack ideas, with their hangover from a 3-0 midweek away victory over Sporting CP in full evidence.
Even if it doesn’t last long, Bochum will relish being off the bottom of the table for now, and where once there was despair, there may be a few slim rays of hope, with a new focal point in attack that single-handedly gave Dortmund their fifth defeat in seven league outings.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Georgios Masouras (Bochum)