This Sunday marks the end of the soccer season for VfL Bochum’s U19 team. After the match against FC Ingolstadt, the team is set to advance to the semifinals of the DFB Cup.

On Sunday (12 p.m.), VfL Bochum’s U19 team will take the field one last time in the 2025 soccer season. In the DFB Cup quarterfinals, Coach David Siebers’ team will host FC Ingolstadt.

We spoke with the coach about the last game of the year and his assessment of the 2025 season.

David Siebers on …

… the balancing act between results and loaning players to the first team. With Kacper Koscierski and Cajetan Lenz, two U19 players are currently playing in the 2. Bundesliga: “We have to be especially strong as a team. When we have really talented individual players, it’s important to me that everyone on the team can also play their part and fit into the system. And if you want to celebrate individual successes and growth, that’s only possible through a united team that helps players develop. The two players I mentioned are the best example. They’ve always been humble in their development, have led by example, and have consistently trained and played at their limit. Despite all the progress they’ve made, they’ve never gotten big-headed and have always been role models. And it’s also important to me that I guide the young players in their personal development as well.”

… the cup quarterfinal against FC Ingolstadt: “That will be a fitting and wonderful way to end the year. The first half of the year was successful; we managed to qualify for the main round in a difficult group. We saw the quality SV Wehen Wiesbaden had—we even finished ahead of Bayer Leverkusen. And we’ve had individual successes among the players, even though there were a few injuries. So that’s very impressive. And now, to wrap things up, we’re really looking forward to the DFB Cup quarterfinal.”

… the opponent from Ingolstadt: “We’re looking forward to facing an opponent we don’t know from the league—that was my wish. We have video footage of all their cup and league games, and we’ve already reviewed them. The analysis is in its final stages. We’ll know the opponent extremely well. It’s important to me that the guys bring to the field what defines VfL soccer.”

… the danger of underestimating the opponent: “It’s going to be anything but a walk in the park. They’ve knocked out Nuremberg and Kaiserslautern; this will be a match between equals. Ingolstadt plays very maturely and with great determination. We’re facing a big challenge.”

… the VfL roster ahead of the match against FCI: “Some players will definitely be out. Jaden Kibbe and Ruben Schneider will be back, though.”

… the 2025 soccer season: “The whole year was great. The final stretch of the regular season was also very special. We won the Westphalia Cup; the guys were there when it really mattered. I hope that’s the case for the game against Ingolstadt, too.” cb / gp