This too: VfL Bochum will have to do without their defensive boss for an indefinite period.

The match against FSV Mainz was a match to forget for Bundesliga club VfL Bochum for two reasons. Firstly, they were again not rewarded for a decent performance and conceded 2:2 in stoppage time in the basement duel through former Schalke player Tom Krauß.

Secondly, they lost defensive boss Ivan Ordets in the first half, whose substitution was already planned. After a final running duel, he came to a halt, grabbed his thigh and had to leave the pitch to chants from the fans.

The diagnosis on Monday was worse than initially feared. The 31-year-old, who had gone the full distance in all eight previous games, suffered a serious muscle injury.

He will not be available to VfL for an indefinite period of time. Not good news ahead of the all-important next few weeks. Because after the 90 minutes against Mainz, there are further duels against direct rivals in the relegation battle

First up, VfL travel to promoted SV Darmstadt on Friday (November 3, 8:30 p.m.), who are missing both central defenders Klaus Gjasula and Matej Maglica after the Bayern game due to two red cards.

After that, 1. FC Köln come to the Ruhrstadion on the opening day of the carnival season (Saturday, November 11, 6:30 p.m.), before the next international break on Sunday (November 26, 3:30 p.m.) when they face 1. FC Heidenheim.

Bochum’s sporting director Marc Lettau emphasized after the 2:2 draw against Mainz with a view to the upcoming task in Darmstadt: “We have to go into the analysis and see that we also draw out the positives. So that we do better in Darmstadt what we didn’t do well. Then hopefully we’ll work on our luck and leave the pitch as winners.”

A win could see them overtake SV Darmstadt in the table