On Saturday evening, FC Schalke 04 will face VfL Bochum. Both clubs are in almost identical positions. Schalke won their first game of the season against Hertha and lost their second game in Kaiserslautern. Bochum lost their opening game in Darmstadt and won against Elversberg.

Both clubs also struggled in the DFB Cup against regional league teams—Schalke won after extra time at 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig, Bochum at BFC Dynamo. No wonder, then, that VfL striker Philipp Hofmann is expecting a fifty-fifty duel.

Forecasting spoke to 32-year-old Hofmann ahead of Saturday evening’s Ruhr derby between FC Schalke 04 and VfL Bochum.

Philipp Hofmann on…

… VfL Bochum’s start to the season: “We haven’t had an outstanding game yet. But we also know that expectations are high. We’ve now won one game, lost one game and progressed in the cup. That’s okay. I think the criticism is a bit unfair. We have a new team, lots of new players, and all that takes time.”

The atmosphere will be great. It’s going to be a nasty game, with a lot of second balls. Schalke will try to put us under pressure right from the start. We have to be fully focused from the first second. Whoever wants it the most will win the game.

Philipp Hofmann

… the things that definitely need to be improved: “I think we just need to work on our routines. But that’s getting better with every training session. It worked well in the preseason, but it’s different when there are points at stake. We’re working on it.”

… the situation ahead of Saturday evening: “Both clubs are still finding their form. We had the same start. We’re definitely ready for the derby. A win would put the mood back to good.“

… Saturday evening at Schalke: ”The atmosphere will be great. It’ll be a nasty game, with a lot of second balls. Schalke will try to put us under pressure right from the start. We have to be fully focused from the first second. Whoever wants it the most will win the game.” with gp