Bochum’s 0:10 – low mood in the west

Perplexed faces: With the derby defeat against Schalke, VfL Bochum’s threatening series of defeats continues.

IMAGO/Team 2

VfL Bochum is back at the bottom, with the 2-0 loss to Schalke in the Revierderby, Thomas Letsch’s team slips to 18th place VfL coach. And, quite contritely: “This is the second difficult phase of the season. Now everything has to be put to the test.”

VfL have been in low form since beating Hoffenheim

The trend is devastating after the last home win against TSG Hoffenheim (5:2) at the beginning of February had raised even greater hopes. Since then, however, VfL has been in extremely questionable form, harmless in the game going forward, shaky like no other Bundesliga team in the back.

The goal difference of 0:10 in these games speaks volumes.

Riemann and the many own goals

In the last four games, Bochum didn’t get a single point and caused a stir with almost slapstick-like goals. In many areas, VfL set bad records, for example with own goals: Since Bochum’s promotion, Manuel Riemann has conceded an own goal for the seventh time, no other goalkeeper has conceded more than four.

This time, however, it was the first time that he scored the own goal himself: First, Riemann sailed past a Schalke cross, then he stretched mightily. Actually, Erhan Masovic could have cleared, but the Bochum goalkeeper pushed the ball over the line into his own goal with his arm.

Unbelievable goals conceded, helplessness in the game going forward: In the current state, the trend is clearly pointing towards the second division. Very seldom, as Letsch admitted, does he speak to his team immediately after the final whistle; but this time it was time. The sobering 0:2 against the royal blue neighbors was followed by a speech to the team, also “because the fire was missing in between”, as Letsch had to say.

Bad mood in Bochum – not only on the pitch

So far in the league, Bochum has been able to rely on the incredible support of its fans, both at home and away. Now the mood threatens to change after VfL started very well against Schalke, but after the break it dropped more and more and even lacked the right fire to turn the game around.

In any case, many fans greeted the players who had dared to go forward after the final whistle at the fence with nasty insults and even a middle finger, as Philipp Förster reported indignantly.

So is the mood changing now? “I have every understanding for the indignation of the Bochum supporters,” said Letsch after the game. “Perhaps there was just that little bit missing on the pitch to bring the game back to our side,” admits the coach.

Somehow his team seemed disoriented, at least for long stretches they didn’t give the impression that they could still turn the game around. At least after the break, the game on Castroper Straße turned into a rather lame derby, where many had expected at least a heated and unrelenting battle for the points.

Losilla and Ordets will probably be there in Cologne

Slipping down to 18th place is a nasty blow to the neck for VfL as they attempt to create the “third miracle”. Letsch has to get his pros back on course very quickly, the away game in Cologne awaits on Friday (8.30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker). Then at least two defensive strategists will be there again who can give the team support.

Because it is to be expected that alongside captain Anthony Losilla, defender Ivan Ordets will be available again in Cologne. This time, after just one and a half training sessions, the massive Ukrainian came too early.