For two VfL Bochum players, the game at Union Berlin was a return to their old stomping grounds. Both wrote their very own story in the process.

Normally, the players’ performance of the visiting team resembles a spit run. Not so at Union Berlin. At least not if the player has a Berlin past. With Keven Schlotterbeck and Dominique Heintz, two of them were in the squad at VfL Bochum – and both were topics of conversation afterwards.

For Schlotterbeck, the return to his old stomping ground was short and painful. After just ten minutes, the 25-year-old suffered a deep laceration and will be out for the time being. “I hope that he is fit again relatively quickly, because we need him,” coach Thomas Letsch could only speculate about the downtime so soon after the game, however. In the game, the ex-Unioner was replaced by the still-loaned Unioner.

“I was happy to come in, but of course it’s not nice that ‘Schlotti’ got injured,” Heintz said. “You wouldn’t wish that on a teammate.” But one man’s sorrow is another man’s joy. For the 29-year-old, it was his fourth appearance in the last five VfL games.

“I think I’ve shown lately when I come on – even from a cold start – that I can do well.” His coach could only agree with that unconditionally. “He comes in there, stands on the pitch and plods the thing down with a calmness of soul,” Letsch said.

Heintz consistently delivers good performances, winning duels and headers and playing unexcited out the back. “I just enjoy my game, I’m fit again and try to help the team with my performance.” And with success, as the personal record makes clear.

In his last four appearances, Bochum remained unbeaten, picking up two wins and two draws. “You always want to win, of course, but we can assess that well.” That’s why Heintz said he was happy with the draw, despite being outnumbered for so long. “If someone had said before the game that we would take a point against Union, then we would all have been happy with that.”

Against VfL Wolfsburg (Saturday, April 22, 3:30 p.m.), captain Anthony Losilla will return to the starting eleven after serving his yellow suspension, Erhan Masovic will rotate into central defense as a result, and Heintz will probably be on the bench. But one thing is certain: If VfL needs its defensive all-rounder in the relegation battle, Heintz will be there.