VfL Bochum were unable to get their first win of the season at the Alte Försterei. Nevertheless, the bottom-of-the-table team is taking a lot of momentum into the key game to end the year 2024.
Almost 80 minutes down a man, a lot of passion, with great intensity, VfL fought for the 1-1 at the Alte Försterei. In the end, of course, the discussions focused on the controversy surrounding the lighter throw, but it was by no means forgotten that Dieter Hecking’s team sent a very strong signal in the relegation battle.
“We believe we can do it,” said Hecking, summing up. ”The team has sent out a clear signal, and we want to take this momentum with us.” It is quite possible that the 1-1 will be retrospectively converted into the first three points for VfL Bochum in the current season. In any case, VfL will take a lot of momentum with them into the last competitive game of the year on Sunday against 1. FC Heidenheim.
The Bochum players repeatedly celebrated each other after successful tackles or rescue operations; it was clear to see that Hecking has formed a unit that does its job with great dedication. That should actually be the basis, but this Bochum DNA was somewhat lost, at least at the beginning of the season.
All the more reason to recognize how Hecking has closed the ranks, but now, of course, the first win of the season must follow in the key game against Heidenheim. Otherwise, despite all the small steps forward, hope will be lost a little just before the turn of the year. “We definitely want to win this game,” says Hecking. “Yes, actually we absolutely have to win it.”
Miyoshi is trying to break Tesches record
The conditions for the game against Heidenheim, who are still busy in the Conference League on Thursday, are not so bad for the bottom-ranked team, even though two players who were definitely planned to play will be missing, in one case certainly and in the other case probably.
Koji Miyoshi was just getting into his stride, starting in Köpenick, but of course the Japanese player was rightly sent off for his excessive commitment and will not be available for the showdown against Heidenheim.
It is still unclear whether Gerrit Holtmann will be able to play, but it is rather unlikely. The winger, who has really found his feet in the team under Hecking after being left out at the start of the season, had to leave the pitch due to adductor problems. It looks as if Holtmann will miss the upcoming home game.
Back to Miyoshi: the Japanese player was sent off in the 13th minute; only three Bochum players have been sent off earlier in a Bundesliga game. Incidentally, the inglorious leader in this respect is Robert Tesche, who was sent off in the very first game after the club’s return to the Bundesliga. On August 14, 2021, in the 1-0 defeat in Wolfsburg, the midfielder was off the pitch after just four minutes.