VfL Bochum faces FC Augsburg in what is perceived as a more manageable match after tough encounters with Leverkusen and Stuttgart. Despite struggling at the bottom of the league and a disappointing record, Bochum’s new coach Dieter Hecking remains hopeful for a turnaround. Augsburg, under pressure to secure their first home win against Bochum, will be missing key defenders. Both teams aim to improve their standings as they prepare for the match this Saturday.
Following their encounters with Leverkusen and Stuttgart, FC Augsburg presents a seemingly ‘easier’ challenge for VfL Bochum. Despite the daunting statistics, new head coach Dieter Hecking is optimistic about securing a positive outcome.
Dieter Hecking understands that, based on the numbers alone, VfL Bochum might not even need to make the trip to Augsburg this Saturday. The FCA enters the match sitting at 14th in the standings and is regarded as a strong favorite, having accumulated 11 of their 12 points at home this season.
Home Advantage for Augsburg
In stark contrast, bottom-ranked Bochum has recorded one of the worst performances in history after 11 matchdays, being the only team this season to leave empty-handed in away games. The blue-whites have been winless for 13 Bundesliga matches, highlighting a dismal record of 32 goals conceded, making them the league’s weakest defense.
However, as Bochum’s new coach Hecking recognizes, every streak must eventually end. After facing tough opponents like Leverkusen and Stuttgart in his first two matches, Augsburg stands as the first ‘manageable’ rival.
Bochum’s Quest for a Fresh Start in Augsburg
FC Augsburg finds itself under significant pressure in the matchup against VfL Bochum. Coach Jess Thorup, who has led FCA for just over a year, is eager to secure a win at home against Bochum for the first time.
The Danish manager is keenly aware of his team’s historical struggles against the Ruhr-based club. Augsburg has never defeated Bochum on home turf, with two losses and one draw in their three previous encounters.
Despite some notable home victories against teams like Borussia Dortmund and Gladbach, Augsburg remains dissatisfied with their current standing. As they sit in 14th place, they must remain vigilant of teams below them, especially after failing to win in their last three matches. Their recent 0-3 defeat to Bayern highlighted their struggles, as they appeared outmatched throughout the game.
Against Bochum, Thorup will need to make adjustments in his defense due to the absence of two regulars. Former Bochum defender Keven Schlotterbeck is suspended after receiving a red card against Bayern, and left-back Dimitris Giannoulis is sidelined with an injury.
Hecking’s Hope for a Turnaround
The outlook for VfL Bochum before their away match isn’t entirely bleak. Coach Dieter Hecking is hopeful for a positive turnaround: ‘When a team hasn’t won in 11 games, confidence isn’t exactly high,’ remarked the 60-year-old. ‘The sooner we achieve a successful experience, the better it will be for us.’
Although Bochum has only played two matches under Hecking’s leadership, showing a different approach in both the 1-1 draw against double winners Leverkusen and the 0-2 loss to Stuttgart, it’s time for the struggling team to finally secure three points.
The team’s negative streak is set to be challenged this Saturday at 3:30 PM in Augsburg. Hecking will have access to a full squad with no absences, and striker Myron Boadu is ready to return. The only player left out is Aliou Baldé, who is being rested by the coach due to a recent incident that he deemed inappropriate. ‘There are disciplinary reasons, but further details will remain internal,’ added Hecking.