For VfL Bochum’s match at Werder Bremen on Saturday, VfL coach Thomas Letsch can once again plan on using Philipp Förster.

Decisive games are coming up for VfL Bochum. On Saturday (15:30), it’s off to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. One week later (Saturday, 4 March, 3:30 p.m.), bottom team FC Schalke will come to Castroper Straße for a derby.

Philipp Förster, who had to miss the match against SC Freiburg due to illness, will be one of the players who can help in the relegation battle. Before the 90 minutes in Bremen, the midfielder emphasised: “Unfortunately, I was ill against Freiburg. Now I’m feeling much better. I’m fired up for the game on Saturday and want to help the team.”

And the VfL can also use some help in view of the dismal statistics in the north. Bochum only managed to win in Bremen in 2008. Otherwise, there have been 27 defeats and seven draws in 35 attempts.

A horrendous record – it’s time to change things here. Förster: “It certainly won’t be easy, Bremen will demand everything from us. We have to act as a unit and be compact.”

And that’s without the captain, because Anthony Losilla will have to watch out after his red card against Bremen and Schalke. There are enough alternatives in the squad, Förster will rather not be one, as he also thinks himself: “I don’t think I will play further back. If I’m in, it’s more likely to be further forward.”

With a three-goal win, VfL, who currently occupy the relegation spot, could once again drag Bremen down with them. FC Schalke also play VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. Hertha BSC has FC Augsburg as an opponent at home.

These are all opportunities for the basement teams to score points, but Förster is sticking to his strategy of not looking to the right or left: “Nothing will be decided by the weekend. It will still be a long and rocky road. We just have to look at ourselves. Then the others can do and do what they want.” cb / gp