VfL Bochum still have eleven games left to secure their place in the league. Philipp Hofmann wants to get things started at 1. FC Köln.

VfL Bochum has been on the decline in recent weeks. At the beginning of February, there was a brilliant 5:2 at home against TSG Hoffenheim.

This was followed by four league defeats in a row – during which VfL failed to score a goal of its own. As a result, Bochum are in last place in the table ahead of Friday’s game against 1. FC Köln.

VfL attacker Philipp Hofmann emphasises: “After Hoffenheim, things looked really good, but now we’ve squandered our lead. The explanation is simple. We didn’t create enough at the front and conceded too many goals at the back.”

Recently, there was even initial displeasure from the fans, who did not like the way the Schalke derby was squandered. Hofmann can understand that, but he also reminds us where VfL came from after their brilliant false start.

At the beginning of the season, there were six defeats in a row before the first point came in a 1-1 draw against 1 FC Köln. The first victory was not celebrated until the ninth matchday against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Hofmann: “If someone had told us on matchday six that we would be level on points with several other teams on matchday 23, we would have all signed off on that. But of course it was annoying in the game against Schalke, which is so important for fans and the region, to deliver such a game, especially in the second half. We were inaccurate, not determined enough and virtually gave the game away. The fans have every right to be angry. But we need them in the future.”

Already in Cologne, where just under 5,000 Bochum supporters will be on hand. And that despite the horror record on foreign grounds this season. Nevertheless, the attacker is convinced that there is something in it for the VfL, with all due respect for the opponent: “I don’t see it as an insurmountable task. It’s always unpleasant to play in Cologne, there’s a great atmosphere there. But everyone should be looking forward to the game. I’m convinced that we can take something with us if everyone is focused and we follow our plan.”

So that the VfL starts well in its personal tournament over eleven matches. Because it’s not going to get any easier, with RB Leipzig coming to the Ruhrstadion in a week’s time.

Hofmann with plain speaking before the Cologne game: “I hope everyone knows what kind of situation we are in. We are virtually in a knockout phase until the end. We are playing a tournament with four other teams in which we want to finish first or second. Everyone is in a positive mood. There are still eleven games to go, so small details matter. “