Bochum (dpa) – Thomas Reis’ anger over the scandalous game against Mönchengladbach has almost disappeared. The 2-1 win at TSG Hoffenheim noticeably improved the mood of the Bochum football teacher.
Thanks to the away coup, the loss of points ordered at the green table after a fan threw a cup at the head of assistant referee Christian Gittelmann was easier to get over. Reis is confident that similar incidents in the duel with Leverkusen on Sunday (3:30 p.m. / DAZN) will not be repeated: “I hope it doesn’t happen again. The club will be punished. But we have to hold the Bundesliga – with little means.”
“We still have every opportunity”
But even the unpleasant headlines after the game was abandoned on March 18 did not throw the brave climber off course. With a previous yield of 35 points, the magic limit is in the direction of rescue for the table 11. within reach. Since the introduction of the three-point rule in 1995/96, a team with 39 points has never left the top flight. The best relegated team was Karlsruher SC in the 1997/98 season with 38 points.
A win over third-placed Leverkusen could help Reis’ last doubts disappear. “We still have every opportunity to achieve our big goal. We want to be brave again against Leverkusen and see what’s possible,” said the 48-year-old coach.
The personnel situation eased up in good time before the end of the season. For the first time since his cruciate ligament tear seven months ago, Simon Zoller is back in the squad. The attacker longs for the end of his ordeal: “Every day I think about how the stadium will stand up when I’m called to the bench in a home game.” In addition, left winger Danny Blum is available again after recovering from muscular problems.
“We continue to trust our fans”
The Revierclub reacted quickly to the cancellation of the game against Mönchengladbach. With the installation of additional video technology, potential perpetrators can be convicted quickly in the future. “Hopefully that deters a little more,” commented Reis. After intensive discussions, the club management waived collective punishments such as a ban on drinking cups. “We continue to trust our fans and are determined to make the shared stadium experience a clear priority,” it said in a statement.
Coach Reis is confident that the game against Leverkusen in front of 25,000 spectators will be a better experience than the last home game against Mönchengladbach. “Of course it’s a dream what has happened here in the last two years. The euphoria is great. Everyone deserves it: the team, the club, the fans, the city,” he said. “If I think about Sunday again, I get goosebumps.”