After the 0-0 draw at RB Leipzig, Thomas Letsch, coach of VfL Bochum, could not avoid highlighting the outstanding Manuel Riemann.

“We must not make the mistake of only talking about Manuel Riemann,” Thomas Letsch still said. “That would not do the game justice.” After two saved penalty kicks in VfL Bochum’s 0-0 draw in Leipzig, however, that was logically difficult for the Bochum coach as well.

“Of course, not only with the two penalties, but with his whole performance, he kept the point extremely for us,” Letsch therefore continued. “That’s why he is also the player of the match for me.”

He added that his goalkeeper had more than earned all the recognition. “Manuel is a player who has always had to take criticism and is a very special character,” Letsch continued. “But what pleases me is that he went out front, was positive all week and is convinced of what we’re doing. And you could feel that from the first minute.”

That energy, he said, then transferred to his front men. “Our goal was to perform compactly as a team and passionately. We gave everything with heart and determination to defend our goal.” For every Leipzig finish, at least one Bochum player tried to throw himself into the trajectory.

“We didn’t really allow any big chances.” That, he said, was the big difference compared to recent games. “The opponent had five shots on our goal, two of which were penalties. We don’t need to talk about it, when a penalty goes in, the game gets a different dynamic and who knows what happens.” But it didn’t, neither of them.

“The longer the game went, the more it was about keeping the opponent away from the goal.” Letsch cared very little about his team’s 30 percent possession. “We kept the zero and especially after the many goals we conceded recently, that was the most important thing.”

For the time being, however, nothing has changed in the standings as a result. “We can classify it quite well. Taking a point here in Leipzig is a great success for us.” Bochum now has four points and remains in a relegation spot. VfL cannot rest on its laurels, but a little pressure was taken off the kettle before the international break.

Bochum’s next match is away again on Matchday 8 at SC Freiburg (October 21, 3:30 p.m.).