The first matchday in the Bundesliga could not have gone worse for VfL Bochum. Coach and players looked visibly shocked.

The shock runs deep at VfL Bochum. No one can really explain the shockingly weak performance on the first matchday of the Bundesliga. VfB Stuttgart defeated Thomas Letsch’s team 0:5 (0:2) – and deservedly so.

The 54-year-old’s conclusion at the press conference afterwards was correspondingly terse. “There is not much to say. You can’t present yourself like that in a Bundesliga opener. We missed everything it’s about and can really only apologise to everyone who travelled with us.”

Christopher Antwi-Adjei could only agree. “It’s also not easy for the fans to travel such a long way and then see such a game.” But the 29-year-old could not answer the question of ‘why’ either.

“Stuttgart were more lively. They wanted the ball, we didn’t,” said a perplexed Antwi-Adjei. “We didn’t put our horsepower on the road and just ran after it.” Frighteningly passive was VfL – both offensively and defensively.

There’s not that much to say. You can’t present yourself like that in a Bundesliga opener. We missed everything it’s about and can really only apologise to everyone who travelled with us.

Thomas Letsch

“I can’t explain it unfortunately,” Antwi-Adjei continued. “We definitely didn’t plan it that way. Stuttgart were more gallant in the duels and hotter for goals.” That is why it is purely speculative whether a possible goal by Philipp Hofmann in the second minute would have given this afternoon a different turn.

“I have to score, no question,” Hofmann was self-critical. Standing completely free in front of the VfB goal, the striker had pushed the ball past the post. “Nevertheless, the basic aggression was not there, we were always one step too late.”

He added that the game must now be analysed as quickly as possible and the right conclusions drawn, “because we can’t perform like that again. We can’t present ourselves like that.” VfL Bochum had actually planned to concede fewer goals and maintain defensive stability.

“It all went to shit,” Hofmann summed up. “We didn’t fight back and that simply can’t be. Stuttgart were able to do what they wanted. That was too little from everyone.”

After the game, it was off to the frustrated fans. “I only caught one sentence,” Antwi-Adjei said. “That we should work our asses off next week.” Then it’s home against Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 26 August, 3.30 pm). If VfL perform exactly like that, it could be another bitter afternoon.