Atmosphere “is outstanding here”
“Konstantinos Stafylidis meets our requirement profile: He is highly trained, knows the Bundesliga, also has international experience and increases the quality of our squad,” said Bochum’s sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz last summer when VfL officially announced the loan of the 28-year-old left-back announced. Stafylidis, who is still under contract with the regular club Hoffenheim until 2023, seems to have arrived in the Ruhr area about seven months later – the Greek can imagine staying beyond the summer.
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“I like the team. For me, the most important thing is that there is solidarity within the team and that the atmosphere in the dressing room is good. This is outstanding here, I love it,” quotes the “WAZ‘ the 32-time Greek international. His future is open, the professional added, but his focus is initially on the sporting goal of staying up in the league. “I still have a contract with TSG Hoffenheim. I have to talk to Hoffenheim and Bochum, there will be a lot of talks there. That’s the way it is. But if you ask me whether I would like to stay in Bochum, I answer: probably yes. But once again: First of all, our goal is to stay in the Bundesliga.”
Since his move, Stafylidis has made 19 appearances for VfL to date, and was last in coach Thomas Reis’ starting XI at the end of January. In his regular position, the left defensive flank, the 1.78 meter tall professional has so far been unable to get past the undisputed regular Danilo Soares. Instead, the former Leverkusen player switches to the right flank, which was recently played by Cristian Gamboa. The lack of a regular place is apparently not a problem for Stafylidis, even with a view to the future, he also lost it in Hoffenheim in the 2019/20 season and had to pass the following season due to injury. The Greek missed all 34 possible Bundesliga games in 2020/21 due to shoulder and shin injuries.
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Bochum loan Stafylidis: starting eleven on Sunday against Frankfurt?
“Several players in the team can play right-back. It’s not just me,” he told the “WAZ”. However, he does not make any claims “per se”, but tries to recommend himself with performance: “That’s not a question. When a player doesn’t play, they are upset or disappointed. But that’s how it is in football. The coach makes the decisions. You have to respect that as a player, even if it’s difficult to accept. We mustn’t do crazy things just because we’re disappointed or upset. The most important thing is the team and success for the team. If we win, it’s okay whether you played yourself or not. And when a team is successful, changes are rarely made.”
Already in the upcoming game on Sunday at Eintracht Frankfurt, Stafylidis on the right side could have a chance of making the next starting XI. Cristian Gamboa is out due to his fifth yellow card. With a win, VfL would overtake their direct competitor from Hesse in the table.
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