On Sunday (17:30), VfL Bochum takes on Union Berlin, and the starting position could hardly be clearer. Especially since the captain is out.
Anthony Losilla would certainly like to prepare for Sunday’s match at the Alte Försterei these days. But instead of playing 90 minutes against Union Berlin, the captain of VfL Bochum will have to watch the game as a spectator.
The reason: Losilla saw his fifth yellow card against VfB Stuttgart after a scuffle as a player who had already been substituted. Now he will be missing in Berlin, the opponent who has yet to concede a defeat at home (nine wins, four draws).
If you look at the away record of Bochum (only two wins), it is clear that VfL travels to Berlin as a stark outsider. Before the game, we spoke to the suspended Losilla.
Anthony Losilla, defeat against relegation rivals and suspension for you. Things could hardly have been worse recently, could they?
That’s right. We had imagined a different result. The suspension for me is bitter, especially in the situation we’re in. You always want to be there. Now it’s over with and the guys will play a good game against Union.
What was the mood like in the dressing room at the start of the week? Shock or defiance?
The mood was relatively good, even if the disappointment was still there. After all, we have to look ahead. The fact is, we’re above the line, we have everything in our own hands. That’s why we can continue to achieve our big goal.
Can you explain the extreme fluctuations in performance?
No, we also wanted to start more courageously against Stuttgart. We weren’t consistent enough in the last few games.
Now it’s against a Champions League contender, do you feel more comfortable as a stark underdog?
We’ve often proven that we can hold our own against such opponents and that we sometimes feel more comfortable there. This is an opponent who has a similar style of play to us. It’s bound to be hard-fought. An unpleasant opponent, but we can also be uncomfortable.
In the first leg, you showed that Union Berlin can also be beaten. What will be important on Sunday?
Exactly, we showed there that we can get them into trouble. They’ve stayed on top since the first leg. And we have to perform like we did in the first leg, that’s a key for us. cb / gp