The mixture will do it. VfL Bochum must go into the final against Bayer Leverkusen with the necessary tension, but also a portion of looseness.

Philipp Hofmann has been waiting for a goal for VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga for six games. The last time he scored was against VfB Stuttgart in a 3-2 home defeat – that was on 9 April.

Therefore, it would now be perfect if the attacker could score again in the last game, because it’s all about the sausage on Saturday from 15:30. After VfB Stuttgart’s win in Mainz, VfL go into the final matchday from relegation place 16.

And at home in the sold-out Ruhrstadion against Bayer Leverkusen, who still want to qualify for the Europa League. After the 2:0 in the first leg, Bayer presumably also need a three-goal win for this in the long-distance duel with VfL Wolfsburg (they play last-place Hertha BSC at home).

However, after a huge spurt, things have not been going so well for Leverkusen lately. Four games in the Bundesliga, plus the two semi-finals in the Europa League against AS Roma could not be won.

Hofmann emphasises with regard to the opponent: “If you look at Leverkusen’s last games, they haven’t won much either, they’re not that good. That’s our chance in the home game.”

Both teams have a lot to win and a lot to lose. There will be no chance to equalise anything after the encounter. Accordingly, the pressure will be on. Therefore, during the week in Bochum, they tried to dose the training sensibly, as Hofmann explains: “We tried to bring in looseness. That’s important, there has to be a good mixture of fun and concentration. “

There has to be a good mixture of fun and concentration.

Philipp Hofmann

To then be right there with a cool head on Saturday from 15:30. Hofmann: “We have to try and play our game. Then we can look at the other places. I think Leverkusen suits us because they are a strong playing team, they certainly don’t fancy playing at our stadium.”

All scenarios are possible before kick-off. Direct rescue, direct relegation, but also relegation. Hofmann is happy with anything that means staying in the Bundesliga: “If that’s the case, then we’ll accept the relegation. No matter what happens, we’ll do our thing, even if it means staying in the league by a roundabout route. But we hope that it will already be enough on Saturday.” with gp