The time of waiting has come to an end. Maxim Leitsch, since August only a spectator due to a thigh injuryis about to return to the squad at VfL Bochum.
Leitsch has been back in team training for a fortnight. The centre-back was not yet an option for the away game at Bayer Leverkusen last weekend due to the long break and the lack of training, but that could change as early as the upcoming home game against Freiburg. Coach Thomas Reis has opened the door for a comeback, so it won’t be long before Leitsch is back in the squad of the promoted team.
The defender has only made one appearance this Bundesliga season. On the first matchday at VfL Wolfsburg (0:1), Leitsch was part of Bochum’s starting line-up before a torn muscle fibre in his rear thigh forced him to take a break. An injury with long-lasting consequences Problems cropped up again and again. The return was delayed. Everything took much longer than originally thought. Weeks turned into months.
But now there would be no more problems, Leitsch reported last week, the connection had been made. This is good news for the promoted team, because the centre-back was one of the most important pillars of the VfL’s promoted team. Leitsch played 33 games last season and played his way into the limelight with outstanding performances.
Even if the comeback is imminent, Leitsch will still have to be patient regarding his chances of a place in the starting line-up. The long break, no match practice – and a VfL defence that has proven to be solid lately: In the past five league games, Bochum have conceded only three goals and scored three times to nil.
