Shuffled lineup, convincing performance, victory: VfL Bochum beats Schalke 2-0. Rösler praises starting lineup debutant Callum Marshall and returnee Gerrit Holtmann.
Some call it a “neighborhood match,” others a “derby”; at the press conference, Uwe Rösler simply coined a diplomatic new term that combines both: “derby match.”
And in this derby match, his players emerged victorious. VfL defeated FC Schalke 04 2-0 (2-0). “I’m incredibly proud of the team,” Rösler said, offering words of praise. He was particularly proud of how the team handled the personnel changes resulting from Pannewig’s absence.
Rösler simply moved Francis Onyeka into defensive midfield and shifted Callum Marshall to the number 10 position, where he made his starting lineup debut. Gerrit Holtmann also returned to the team following his knee surgery. All three delivered.
“The way the team handled that—great job,” praised the VfL coach. “Francis dropped back to the six, Callum came in. Callum had a huge game. First game starting from the beginning—it surprised me too that he moved so well, because he’s actually a player who usually operates on the back line. And with Gerrit Holtmann, we got lucky, because he knows exactly how important this derby is. He gave it his all.”
Our first home win against Schalke in 17 years—that was important. It was important for the future. It was important for the upcoming games. It was important for our team’s morale and self-confidence
Uwe Rösler
He gave it his all to such an extent that, after two assists in the first half, he didn’t even come out of the locker room for the second half. He was completely spent. Rösler appreciates the honesty of his wing wizard, who overwhelmed Schalke’s usually rock-solid defense.
“Sensational play, perhaps the best performance since I’ve been here. Even against the best defense,” Rösler emphasized regarding returnee Holtmann. After Holtmann remained in the locker room, Bochum was unable to match the performance of the first half, but ultimately held on to the 2-0 lead until the final whistle.
Rösler explains: “We defended that very well, especially against Edin (Dzeko, ed.). It was good that we brought in another center back. Masovic did that very attentively.”
The significance of the game cannot be downplayed. The 57-year-old emphasizes: “Our first home win against Schalke in 17 years—that was important. It was important for the future. It was important for the upcoming matches. It was important for our team’s morale and self-confidence.”
Because he also knows: “You can see the results: We just can’t get out of the bottom. Everyone else is picking up points.” (with gp)
