Relegation
Updated on May 22, 2024, 3:42 p.m
Manuel Riemann will not play for VfL Bochum in the relegation round. © IMAGO/Malte Ossowski/SVEN SIMON
VfL Bochum will play its crucial games of the season without regular goalkeeper Manuel Riemann. Now managing director Patrick Fabian commented on the decision for the first time.
Sports director Patrick Fabian of Bundesliga club VfL Bochum has spoken out for the first time about the departure of regular goalkeeper Manuel Riemann before the first leg of the relegation play-off. “I’m not happy about having this situation now. But we have to deal with it, it’s only about VfL now,” said Fabian before the home game against Fortuna Düsseldorf on Thursday (8.30 p.m./Sky and Sat.1).
The Bundesliga 16th announced on Monday that Riemann would not be in the squad for the two decisive games against the third-place team in the second division. Experienced Andreas Luthe will start in his place. The reason for this is “irreconcilable different opinions on team content issues”.
Riemann’s value is “undisputed, of course we would have preferred things to be different,” admitted Fabian. After the 4-1 defeat at Werder Bremen, those responsible sought an exchange with the players, “were very critical and showed ways in which we wanted to play the relegation games. There is no gray area in such situations – only black or white . The result is known.”
The club management and the goalkeeper had “different opinions” about it. Fabian did not want to comment on rumors about Riemann’s alleged physical violence against teammate Matus Bero, which were reported in some media.
As with Bochum’s most recent relegation in 2011, veteran Andreas Luthe will be in goal for Riemann. Together with the recently shaky defense, he will have to tame Düsseldorf’s second division top scorer Christos Tzolis. The Greek scored 22 goals in 30 games, making him a huge part of Fortuna’s success. He could be a difference player in Bochum and also in the second leg on Monday (8.30 p.m./Sky and Sat.1). (sid/jum)
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2024-05-22 13:42:41
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