VfL Bochum vs. SC Freiburg preview: Can Bochum get another result at home?
Freiburg travel north to face a relegation-threatened Bochum side that desperately need to create some breathing room from themselves and the bottom of the table.
VfL Bochum
Bochum have more losses than any other Bundesliga club thus far, but are still two points clear of the relegation-playoff spot. They’ve put together some decent results at home, but have concerningly given away 49 goals through 20 matches.
Philip Hofmann has put away his fair share of opportunities as the target man up front and he will be joined again by other scoring threats in Takuma Asano and Simon Zoller. Keven Schlotterbeck is facing his parent club on Saturday, but he still hasn’t found a consistent place in the starting 11 with Erhan Masovic and Ivan Ordets slightly ahead in the order.
In his press conference, Thomas Letsch shared, “It's not about the two coaches. You are just part of the team. I don't really know Christian Streich yet. He has done a great job, really establishing SC Freiburg in the top third. I'm glad to meet him now.”
Team News
Cristian Gamboa, Gerritt Holtmann and Michael Esser are out for Die Unabsteigbaren.
SC Freiburg
Christian Streich is back roaming the touchline on a Bundesliga afternoon once again after serving a suspension last week. 2023 is off to a bit of a rollercoaster start for the Breisgau club who could really use some more offensive efficiency.
Freiburg’s depth up front has taken a hit with Daniel-Kofi Kyereh ruled out for the rest of the season to go along with Kevin Schade's move to Brentford. Vincenzo Grifo’s two penalties were enough to sneak past Stuttgart last weekend, but help from Ritsu Doan and Michael Gregoritsch is needed to defeat a tough Bochum team on the road.
Streich commented on the news that the club has now exceeded the 50,000 member mark: "I don't think anyone would have thought that possible. But the media opportunities to perceive us have also changed. In 1999, I think we had 800 members."
Team News
Kyereh is the only expected absentee for Freiburg, while Kiliann Sildillia is back following his red-card suspension.