VfL Bochum is entering its third season in the Bundesliga. A look at the past reveals what will be important in the future.

After being rescued on the last matchday, VfL Bochum’s focus is fully on its third consecutive season in the Bundesliga. Talks are going on in the background, the first transfers have been announced in order to be competitive next year as well. But one last look back must be allowed – also with regard to the future.

For although VfL found itself in the danger zone of the table throughout the entire season, the Bochum team is sometimes right up there in terms of statistics. Above all, goalkeeper Manuel Riemann – who did not miss a single minute – was able to prove that he is one of the best Bundesliga keepers, despite all the ups and downs.

This is shown, among other things, by the number of shots saved. 134 are the best in the league. But the truth is also that the VfL defence was not always secure and allowed a lot. Riemann was often left to his own devices; 72 goals conceded are the most in the league.

In addition, many mistakes in his own sixteen meant that Riemann found himself facing many penalty kicks. The 34-year-old was able to save six, the most of any keeper. However, the VfL opponents scored 14 times from the spot – a league high. This should not detract from the impressive defensive rate of 42.9 per cent, but the careless giving away of penalties must be stopped as a matter of urgency.

VfL Bochum: Defensively fewer mistakes, offensively more alternatives

Philipp Hofmann played a solid season in his first year in the Bundesliga. In the course of the season, the striker became more and more involved in the offensive game. With 269 aerial duels won, the 30-year-old jumped to the top of the league statistics.

However, this also reveals that the VfL often lacked playful solutions. The “steep-slap-low” principle with the long ball to Hofmann worked very well at times, but opponents were able to gradually adapt to it. In the last phase of the season, Hofmann faced two or more defenders.

One of the tasks in the preparation will therefore be to work out offensive alternatives. To this end, the squad should be in place early on. Lukas Daschner (24) is a completely different type of player than Hofmann and was also used in the centre of attack at FC St. Pauli.

With Felix Passlack (25) and Noah Loosli (26), further fresh blood was signed. The oldest squad in the league (28.6 years on average) has not fallen into the fountain of youth as a result, but the age cut is to be lowered bit by bit and if possible without any loss of quality.