VfL Bochum currently has 23 players to choose from, with hardly any injuries. In addition, the team trained on a new pitch.
Things are looking up again for VfL Bochum. In the 2nd Bundesliga, they recently earned seven points from three games. On top of that, they advanced in the DFB Cup with an away win at FC Augsburg.
Coach Uwe Rösler’s team has thus gained new confidence ahead of three important games. Now they face challenges in Braunschweig, at home against Dynamo Dresden, and in Fürth. “We have to work on dealing with the pressure and getting into the games. We have to keep a clear head and stick to our principles.”
In terms of personnel, he has almost a full squad to choose from ahead of the basement battles. Including the goalkeepers, 23 players were on the field on Wednesday. For the first time, the pros trained on the lower training ground. It had been converted from artificial turf to grass over a period of several months to provide the pros and other teams with more and better training conditions overall. Ibrahima Sissoko was also able to participate fully for the first time after his shoulder joint rupture. Rösler: “But he still needs some time, he’s not 100 percent yet. We have to ease him back into the team. Every week helps this player.”
Ibrahim Sissoko and Kevin Vogt are still waiting to make their comeback. They will not be considered again until after the upcoming international break at the earliest. VfL wants to go into this break with another win in Braunschweig.
Rösler: “I watched Braunschweig at the weekend. They have great players and a slightly different style of play to Magdeburg. They are physically strong. We have to get back to our best.”
To do that, the mix has to be right again. There has been a lot of talk about the young players recently, so Rösler warned: “We have to be careful not to just talk about the talented players, but also about the experienced ones. When I saw Philipp Hofmann on Wednesday, for example, it made my heart smile. He scored goals from all angles. Everyone has their role here, and we as a team are only just getting started.” cb / gp