Before the “small district derby” at Borussia Dortmund, VfL Bochum are still plagued by personnel problems in the defensive department.
Both Erhan Masovic (adductors) and Dominique Heintz (muscular problems) are out for the game on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky). Vasilios Lampropoulos will most likely play alongside Ivan Ordets in central defence, VfL coach Thomas Letsch confirmed on Thursday.
“The combination with Vasi and Ivan worked well during the training week. Experience also plays a role there,” said Letsch, whose team has lost all six away games of the season so far and conceded 19 goals.
However, Bochum are going into the duel with their big neighbors with the good feeling of the 4:3 win from the previous season, which secured relegation at the time.
“We have a clear plan on how we want to go about it,” said Letsch, who is meeting BVB for the first time with VfL. He was “quite aware” that the game was “something special” for the fans: “You fall twice, then you’re over in Dortmund. I’m looking forward to the game.”