Kevin Stöger apologized to the fans of VfL Bochum following the 3-0 defeat to Fortuna Düsseldorf. However, the dream of staying in the league is not over yet.
Kevin Stöger’s disappointment after his VfL Bochum’s poor performance in the first leg of the relegation play-off against Fortuna Düsseldorf (0:3) was also clear to see. Deputizing for Anthony Losilla, who initially started on the bench, the Austrian had led the team onto the pitch at Castroper Straße and experienced a day to forget.
Afterwards, the playmaker explained that the game had to be divided into two halves. “That’s how we wanted it to be in the first half. We got into the game well, had good opportunities, including from set pieces, and then you concede a simple goal like that. That’s unacceptable, we don’t even need to talk about it.” The slapstick goal to make it 0:1 was a goal, “you get that once a season”. At the other end, Bernardo only hit the post. “When you’re on a negative run, things like that happen.”
During the break, the team resolved to keep a clean sheet at the back. “Then we get another counter-attack and a free-kick. That just doesn’t work,” said an annoyed Stöger, who at least wanted to tie the game up. “If you lose 3-1 here, it’s obviously bitter, but you can make up a two-goal deficit more easily than a 3-0 defeat.” But Bochum didn’t show enough for that either. “I’m sorry for the whole of Bochum. Bochum didn’t deserve that and we players are to blame. “
If Düsseldorf can score three goals in Bochum, why shouldn’t we be able to do it in Düsseldorf.
Kevin Stöger
Stöger still doesn’t want to bury his head in the sand. “It might sound a bit silly, but if Düsseldorf can score three goals in Bochum, why shouldn’t we be able to do that in Düsseldorf,” said the 30-year-old. “Even though it will be very difficult now, I think if we take an early lead, the game will be different.”
In any case, it is clear that VfL will have to show a completely different face on Monday evening (8.30pm, live in the RS ticker). Stöger had no explanation as to why the team didn’t do that in the first leg, but made it clear that it had nothing to do with the turmoil surrounding Manuel Riemann. “Everyone stepped on the gas, of course things didn’t go the way we wanted them to in the second half, but I don’t think there’s any point in talking about players who aren’t there. We were all motivated and positive. It’s annoying.” with gp