VfL Bochum travel to TSG Hoffenheim with a tailwind. Captain Anthony Losilla explains why the Bundesliga club is currently difficult to beat.
In the away game at TSG Hoffenheim, VfL Bochum have the chance to extend a remarkable run. Coach Thomas Letsch’s team have gone five games in a row without defeat – the first time since being promoted back to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2021.
After the 3:1 win against VfL Wolfsburg, VfL were finally able to put a tick behind their first home win of the season. “The fans have been waiting a long time for this, the relief was palpable,” said Anthony Losilla, looking back on the exuberant atmosphere in the Ruhrstadion after the final whistle. The captain promises: “We’ll see more of that this season.”
Bochum have now worked their way up to twelfth place thanks to their unbeaten streak. Losilla does not want to attribute the fact that the euphoria in the team’s surroundings is gradually increasing to the latest success alone. “Even though we’ve been criticized in recent weeks for not winning the games,” emphasized the 37-year-old, “we were already more stable and difficult to beat. Against Wolfsburg, we finally managed to score the goals.”
And for the first time this season, three of them. “It’s just working. Everyone is playing for each other, we’re fighting and doing the things that have made us strong in the past,” said Losilla, praising his team-mates for their “passion and a playful element”. But: “We’re still in the relegation battle and have three important games before the winter break. “
The first of these on Friday evening under floodlights in Sinsheim (20:30, RS live ticker). Hoffenheim’s trend is almost the opposite of Bochum’s. After a strong start to the season, TSG have now gone four games without a win.
What does Losilla think about the upcoming opponents, with whom VfL squandered an early 2-0 lead in pre-season and ultimately lost 3-2? “They always try to find playful solutions and have a high passing quality. But I don’t think they like playing against us. Our intense style of play disturbs such teams.”