Three points instead of discussions about walks and beer bans. Maximilian Wittek calls for concentration on Hoffenheim, the left-back sees the problems off the pitch.

On Saturday (3:30 p.m.), VfL Bochum will face TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. It is the seventh attempt to finally get the first three points in the current season.

In view of the upcoming games (Bayern, Frankfurt, Leverkusen, Stuttgart), this seems to be the best chance to finally get a small breakthrough.

Of all things, at this stage in Bochum, there is almost more discussion about a ban on beer in the dressing room and joint walks before an away game than about the much more important relegation battle.

VfL left-back Maximilian Wittek has a clear opinion on the matter: “I find it a bit alarming that things are leaking out that don’t belong there. But of course it’s a nice sideshow for everyone else. The only thing that matters to us is that we prepare well, but of course that’s not helpful. We’re trying to block it out as best we can.”

It is clear, however, that once something like this is on the market, it will not be possible to completely block it out. “Annoying,” is how Wittek describes it, who believes that it makes no sense to look into who has spread this topic.

He wants to focus on Hoffenheim and getting the first three points of the season: “There’s nothing we can do about it now. I hope we don’t dwell on it too much, because we have other things to worry about.”

The bottom line is that we have to improve on the pitch and not off it, because I think we’re a really good team there

Maximilian Wittek

And then he gets specific, because he actually has the feeling that the team is doing well. “The bottom line is that we have to improve on the pitch and not off it, because I think we’re really a good squad there. We have to work on other areas.”

Whereby, for example, there is the question of which system coach Peter Zeidler chooses. In the last friendly against 1. FC Köln (2-3), the variant in 4-3-3, the system that was the order of the day last year during the course of the season.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what the starting lineup is. What is important is that the team believes in itself. Wittek: “The TSG has a good team with a lot of individual quality. We try to play for victory, if it turns out to be a win, we’ll gladly take it.” In view of the table, that might not be enough, but in view of the starting position, it can help to gain a little self-confidence. cb / gp