Tough task for 1. FC Bocholt: The promoted team has to play SV Rödinghausen on Saturday (2 pm). Bocholt will have to do without eight players at the league leaders.
1. FC Bocholt travels to the current Regionalliga West leaders SV Rödinghausen on Saturday (2 pm). A tough nut to crack for the promoted team.
“We are, of course, gross underdogs and have nothing to lose. They’re desperate to go up, we’re desperate to stay in. It’s also nice to go to Rödinghausen and not be the favourites. That’s what we’ve always been like over the years with Rot-Weiss Essen. And yet: The games against Rödinghausen were always tough,” said FCB veteran Kevin Grund (35) to RevierSport during the week.
The 3-1 defeat at home to SV Lippstadt on the last matchday has been forgotten. Coach Marcus John is fully focused on the task in East Westphalia. John: “We can put the defeat against Lippstadt in perspective, we were missing many important players due to injuries and flu. Everyone here knows how serious the situation is and staying in the league is a marathon. From there, we have to keep collecting points.”
Against the excellent offensive – Rödinghausen have scored 28 goals in 13 games – Bocholt will have to work well defensively first and foremost. “Especially at home, they do it very well and have a flawless record. Once the goal machine gets rolling, it’s hard to stop it. 21 goals in six home games underpins that home strength, so you don’t need to be a mathematician,” explains John.
1st FC Bocholt: Tense personnel situation
However, the 48-year-old, who can boast a points average of 2.0 points per game after twelve games as Bocholt coach, also sees a chance for his team to surprise in Rödinghausen: “There are points to be awarded, so of course we want to take something with us and at best break Rödinghausen’s average.”
Long-term injuries Marcel Platzek, Gino Windmüller, Lars Bleker and Dario Schumacher will be joined on Saturday by the absences of Jona Scholz (patella tendinitis), Lucas Valler (muscle fibre tear), Stephané Mvibudulu (calf strain) and Arman Corovic (work-related). Veteran Kevin Grund is still struggling with groin problems and is doubtful for the team.