VfL Bochum scored five goals in the test match against NEC Nijmegen and won the turbulent test match at Castroper Straße with 5:4. However, the Bundesliga promoted team has not yet overcome a weakness known from the match in Leipzig.
In particular, two hair-raising blunders in the Bochum rearguard raised the pulse of coach Thomas Reis in the first half. The first goal from the Dutch Eredivisie’s tenth-placed team came in much the same way as the 0:1 in Leipzig on Saturday. After a corner, Rodrigo Guth got the ball completely free just in front of the Bochum tour and was able to push in unchallenged. But that wasn’t all: Less than a quarter of an hour later, Pedro Ruiz again scored from a corner when he jumped over Bochum defender Saulo Decarli. The weakness in standard situations was once again clearly visible here.
High pressing, gross blunders
On the other hand, coach Reis also enjoyed the high pressing of his team, who often won the ball in the opponent’s half with early disruptions and thus scored two goals already in the first half. In addition to the internationals Bella Kotchap, Asano, Stafylidis and Ganvoula, VfL were also missing the injured Tesche, Antwi-Adjei and Pantovic. In goal this time was substitute Michael Esser; but it was particularly pleasing for VfL that Cristian Gamboa, who had suffered a fractured elbow against Mainz on the second day of the match, was given match practice again. The Costa Rican international even lasted well over an hour, so it is possible that he will be able to defend on the right side of the back four again in the basement clash in Fürth on Saturday in eight days’ time. Danny Blum, who started on the left side but also switched to the right side, also received important match practice. He impressed with his excellent technique, but often hit inaccurate crosses. At least the winger had a nice feeling of success: With a fine low shot he scored Bochum’s third goal after Novothny had done the groundwork.
The good finishes and the offensive play as a whole were impressive, but the good impression of the Bochum team was repeatedly marred by terrible defensive blunders. Reis had rightly demanded that the clearances should not be so large and that the team should be more compact, but there was not much of that to be seen. In addition, the team repeatedly failed to allocate the ball correctly at the set-pieces; Reis will also have to improve on this before the basement clash in Fürth.
Lions recommend themselves
But the man of the day in the win against the Dutch was a midfielder who is still looking for his best form. Eduard Löwen had been fully convincing in the first test matches and training sessions in the summer, but was then clearly set back by his Olympic participation and slight muscular complaints. The player on loan from Hertha BSC was actually chosen to provide structure in midfield and to deploy the offensive forces with fine passes. Against Nijmegen, Löwen thawed out, scoring two goals himself and setting up Chibsah’s winning goal in the final minute with a precise cross. Not only with this strong performance Löwen has of course laid claim to be part of Bochum’s starting eleven against Fürth.
In central midfield, Reis is spoilt for choice. Three places are up for grabs, four men are pushing themselves forward. Besides Löwen, there is Elvis Rexhbecaj, who impressed with his aggressiveness in duels, but was not yet completely convincing. In addition, veteran Robert Tesche, who on good days provides structure and cohesion in the team. And, of course, Anthony Losilla, who should be the “captain” and leader of the team. Patrick Osterhage, who came from Borussia Dortmund II and appeared in the starting eleven this time, only has outside chances in this area. A small highlight for the youngster: He perfectly prepared the 2:2 through Gerrit Holtmann with a precise pass.
“This game is enormously important “
SEBASTIAN SCHINDZIELORZ ON THE UPCOMING DUEL AGAINST FÜRTH
First and foremost, defensive tuning should be on the agenda in the next few days. Along with preparation for the meeting with promoted Fürth. A little final? “After that,” says sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz, “the season is not over. But of course this game is enormously important, also for the atmosphere.
