VfL Bochum are optimistic going into the 2024 season opener. Kevin Stöger is full of energy, but has to restrain himself.
VfL Bochum kick off their 2024 campaign on Sunday (3.30pm, live in the RS ticker), buoyed by their successful winter preparations and two test match wins.
“It’s always good to be successful in the last test match,” said Kevin Stöger, adding: “I think it was a decent test. But we know that it will be different against Bremen on Sunday.”
Different in this case means: situation, opponent, atmosphere. Three points are at stake again in the Bundesliga and SV Werder Bremen, a direct rival in the relegation battle, will be the visitors. And at Castroper Straße. The place where VfL feels most at home
“We know what’s going on at home,” explained Stöger. “That’s why we’re extremely pleased that the first game of the new year is at home.” However, the record does not yet fully reflect the team’s preference for their own four walls. Thomas Letsch’s team picked up ten of their 16 points at the Ruhrstadion – equivalent to 13th place in the home table.
“We want to become a home power, the last two games were already good. We’ve shown some good games here, but unfortunately we haven’t been rewarded. We really want to win against Bremen on Sunday and go into the second half of the season with a good feeling. I believe that if we deliver our performance, we have a very good chance,” said Stöger with determination.
The opponents, who are level on points with VfL, were already in a better position. But that is a minor matter on Sunday. “We’ll take everything as it comes,” says the midfielder. “Whether it’s the pitch or the weather. In the end, it doesn’t matter how Bremen play. We know that if we deliver our performance at home, we can beat them. And we’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
This also applies to Stöger, who had to watch the last game (0:4 against Bayer Leverkusen) due to a yellow card suspension. “The suspension hurt, of course, and was unnecessary. You still get five yellow cards quickly, especially with our style of play, because it’s very intense,” reports the 30-year-old and emphasizes: “I definitely don’t want to be suspended again this season, so I have to hold back a bit.”
As much as possible ahead of the first competitive matches of the new year. Because: “We’re all fired up for the game. All the lads are fit. I don’t think that’s normal at this time of year. We absolutely want to win the first home game of the new year. We’ll do everything we can to achieve that. There’s nothing better than celebrating with our fans on Sunday. “