VfL Bochum currently have to rely on their home strength, but the double penalty-killer from the first leg will be missing against RB Leipzig.

If there’s one thing Anthony Losilla hardly knows, it’s missing a VfL Bochum game. Very rarely does he have to miss a game due to suspension or injury.

That was the case again in the 5-2 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach a week ago. He had to experience the 90 minutes with his family in front of the TV. But the defeat has been put behind him, both for the team and for the captain.

The focus is now on the future: two home games await VfL with RB Leipzig (Saturday, 3:30 pm) and SC Freiburg. The chance to extend the cushion at the bottom.

VfL still have a reassuring eight-point lead over 1. FC Köln in 16th place for relegation, but Losilla warns: “After the game against Bayern, we said that there is still a long way to go. We mustn’t think that the game is already over. We have to stay focused, because our rivals will also score points.”

Cologne now have Leverkusen in front of them, but Mainz could get something against Gladbach, so if VfL lose, it could be just seven points off 16th place.

And the veteran is certain that nobody thinks the team has achieved anything yet. “Nobody thinks it’s going to happen on its own because we’re playing to Hase. We are being pushed and want to make it difficult for our opponents. We have to prove time and again that we are stable and difficult to play against at home. We now have two good opportunities to pick up points in front of our fans.”

VfL keeper Manuel Riemann saved two penalties in the first leg

Although there are easier opponents than Leipzig, there have been two recent successes against RB. A 1:0 at home and a 0:0 in Leipzig. Losilla: “We haven’t conceded a goal in the last two games against Leipzig. We’ve shown that we can hold our own against this team. But they are incredibly good footballers. We can only survive with extreme passion and willingness to run. If we have a really good day, then we have a chance.”

The truth is, however, that the 0-0 draw in Leipzig was extremely fortunate and was only thanks to Manuel Riemann, who saved two penalties against Emil Forsberg and Xavi. Which is out of the question this time, as Riemann is suspended following his fifth yellow card. gp / cb