VfL Bochum has to react to the Stuttgart shock. But now, of all times, Captain Anthony Losilla is out. This is how VfL coach Thomas Letsch wants to compensate.
The plan was clear: a threesome against VfB Stuttgart would have VfL Bochum in the Soccer Bundesliga means a big step towards staying up.
It was different at 2:3 – now the VL is under pressure again. And now, of all things, Bochum, who have rarely been convincing away from home, are going to Union Berlin, who are still undefeated at home.
And that too without the suspended captain Anthony Losilla. Not an easy task for coaches Thomas Letsch and his team. It’s just good that there are hardly any failures next to Losilla.
Only Cristian Gamboa cannot participate due to his lack of training. Dominique Heintz and Philipp Förster, who both had a few problems, are fit. Kostas Stafylidis had an infection. Letsch: “It might be the closest thing to him with an assignment.”
At the press conference before the game on Sunday (5:30 p.m.), Letsch explained how he intends to compensate for Losilla’s absence. “He can’t be completely replaced. But we have opportunities to make up for his loss. When you go to Union, a team that is very strong at home, you have to be stable. They play like us, long balls, aerial duels.”
His addition: “We need many to replace Toto and take responsibility. I’m thinking of final phases like in Frankfurt or against Leipzig, where everyone really hit and fought.”
Riemann – Stafylidis (Janko), Ordets, Masovic, Soares – Osterhage, Kunde, Förster – Zoller, Hofmann, Antwi-Adjei
Yellow card suspension threatened: Zoller, Ordets
The strength at home and the record abroad of VfL does not worry the coach any more: “I assume that Union will have more possession of the ball in their own stadium. They are in third place, have a great record at home. We must not let them in play the cards, but we’ve stabilized away from home and have scored twice recently.”
With regard to the opponent, Letsch shows great respect for what Union has achieved so far: “Union have a clear structure. They make the spaces extremely narrow. It’s very difficult to create chances against them. We might have had them in the first leg not surprising. But hats off to what’s happening at Union. A great development.”
Bochum’s number one Manuel Riemann had also taken it in recent years. Recently he made some mistakes in his game, after the 2:3 against VfB Stuttgart this culminated in hostilities from some supporters, with whom the goalkeeper afforded a dispute in the stands.
Letsch doesn’t think that has left its mark on the veteran: “Manuel Riemann makes a very good impression. He made the headlines because of the situation after the game. We have his back. Criticism is okay, we have to deal with it, but you can not be approached physically and verbally.”
