VfL Bochum travel to the Weserstadion on Saturday to take on SV Werder Bremen. Coach Thomas Letsch spoke in advance about the personnel and the opponent.

For VfL Bochum, the trend-setting weeks in the fight to stay in the relegation zone are about to begin. In the next three games, head coach Thomas Letsch’s team will face three opponents from the lower half of the table.

Werder Bremen, Schalke 04 and 1. FC Köln are the upcoming opponents. Bochum need every point in the relegation battle to remain in the Bundesliga in the second year after promotion.

After 21 games, VfL are in the relegation spot, but are level on points with the first non-relegation place.

Ahead of the upcoming away game at SV Werder Bremen (25 February, 3.30pm), Bochum coach Letsch was on hand to answer journalists’ questions at the press conference.

Of course, a logical choice would be Manuel Riemann. But I haven’t even brought that up yet. I wouldn’t hang it too high either. It’s simply much more important that responsibility is taken on the pitch.

Thomas Letsch on replacing Losilla as captain

Thomas Letsch on…

the personnel: “Unfortunately, there are currently a few players who are slightly ill. Cristian Gamboa is doing parts of the team training, but of course it’s still too early for him to play.”

Editor’s note: Captain Anthony Losilla (red ban), Simon Zoller (muscular problems) and Gerrit Holtmann (knee surgery) are certain to miss out.

the substitute captain: “A logical choice would of course be Manuel Riemann. But I haven’t discussed that at all yet. I wouldn’t put too much stock in it either. It’s simply much more important to take responsibility on the pitch. The issue of captain hasn’t really come up since I started here. Toto was always there. But we have some experienced players in the squad who take responsibility on the pitch. We have to divide that up among several shoulders.”

Kostas Stafylidis: “He gives his all in training, offers himself. As strange as it sounds, it’s maybe sometimes a curse and a blessing at the same time that he can play so many positions.”

Midfielder Patrick Osterhage: “Patrick Osterhage has not yet collected many minutes of action this year. He’s not satisfied with that, and that’s the right thing to do. He will get his chances. I really appreciate the fact that he never lets himself down. He has great potential.”

Possible tactical changes in Bremen: “There are always considerations to adapt the system. That depends on the personnel that is available – and of course also on the opponent. But I won’t reveal whether that’s the case on Saturday.”

The opponent: “Werder Bremen have developed really strongly under Ole Werner. They have often brought the close games to their side. They are a team that is very solid and has a clear structure. It’s not easy to score against them. But of course we’re going to Bremen with the goal of finally starting an away series there. Werder have a clear plan, and they’re following it to the letter. We have to counter with ours. “