The Ruhr derby pits two teams against each other that have a lot to fix. Dortmund is not very convincing at the start of the season, last weekend they were also badly slapped by Stuttgart. Bochum, on the other hand, is still waiting for its first win of the year, which it did not change even a week ago in the match against the competition’s newcomer.
It’s not that yet. In fact, it cannot even be said that Dortmund beat any of the opponents after the summer break. Whether it’s the Bundesliga or the Champions League. In short, coach Nuri Sahin has a lot to deal with after the arrival of the summer. Especially after the debacle in Stuttgart, where the “Schwarzgelben” conceded five times. “There’s no need to underestimate anything. We clearly solved and analyzed everything. Everything was missing that day,” Sahin said looking back at the embarrassing loss at Wednesday’s press conference.
On Friday, together with his charges, he intends to prove that it was an isolated failure. “We are all in the same boat. We lose together, we win together. It is very important to have a core that is very self-critical, that knows what was right, what was wrong or what needs to be done better. But just by talking, we will not succeed,” added Sahin.
There is no satisfaction even in Bochum, which unexpectedly dropped out of the German Cup in the very first competitive game of the season, losing to second division Regensburg. Subsequently, she was not even good enough for three Bundesliga opponents and won her first points only in the fourth round, even though she wanted more than the final score against the newcomer from Kiel.
Now VfL faces a tough opponent who, despite their own worries, is still much stronger. “We will have the opportunity to field several very good players from the bench. But above all, the starting eleven will give their maximum from the first minute. We are really looking forward to showing what we can do in the big stadium in Dortmund,” said Bochum coach Peter Zeidler.
Stopper Ivan Ordec and midfielder Koji Miyoshi have already left Marodka VfL, but the former is yet to appear in Dortmund. Defender Bernardo remains injured, another defender Erhan Mašović is expecting the birth of a child and will be off on Friday. Zeidler revealed that Tim Oermann and Noah Loosli will fill the holes in the middle of the defense, while also saying that experienced midfielder Anthony Losilla, who was dropped from the starting line-up after the first round, will get a chance.
During the week, the Schwarzgelben dealt with the colds of three full-backs – Julian Ryerson, Ramy Bensebaini and Yan Cout. But all three should be ready for Friday’s race. Midfielder Giovanni Reyna continues to be troubled by injuries, but he should be fit in a week.
Borussia Dortmund – probable line-up:
Kobel – Anton, Süle, N. Schlotterbeck – Couto, Sabitzer, Groß, Adeyemi – Beier, Gittens – Guirassy
VfL Bochum – probable line-up:
Drewes – Passlack, Oermann, Medić, Loosli, Wittek – Losilla, Bero – Miyoshi – De Wit, Boadu
Tipsport odds: 1.26 – 6.75 – 11.00
Tip EuroFotbal.cz: 1