Bochum vs. Union Berlin preview: Can Die Eisernen win again under Bjelica?
Bochum host Union on Saturday afternoon, as both clubs look to climb their way out from the bottom of the table.
Bochum
Following a big win against Wolfsburg, Bochum fell to Hoffenheim last week in a poor offensive showing. Thomas Letsch recently earned himself a contract extension and his team have been improving, with only one defeat in their last six league matches.
The 14th-place side have a tough task against rejuvenated Union this weekend. Bochum are still trying to find Philipp Hofmann for his first goal of the campaign, while Bernardo will likely move out left if Keven Schlotterbeck comes back into the starting lineup.
Letsch mentioned, “The last time I saw Union was in the Champions League against Real Madrid. That alone says a lot. The quality at Union is high. We are currently ahead of them in the table and we want to be that way after the next matchday.”
Team News
Mohammed Tolba has returned to team training after his ACL injury, but isn’t ready to play quite yet. Michael Esser and Ivan Ordets will likely remain out.
Union Berlin
A win against Gladbach last weekend moved Union out from the bottom of the table, but they still have a long way to go to distance themselves from the relegation race. They also held their own against Real Madrid midweek and look improved under new manager Nenad Bjelica.
Now out of Europe, Union can solely focus on league play and need to take advantage of their last two games of the year against Bochum and Köln. Bjelica will likely continue with Juranovic and Roussillon out wide, while Benedict Holler could see his second consecutive league start after impressing against Gladbach.
In his Friday presser, the trainer said, “I’m proud and we can all be, to have been so good against Real. Not just on Tuesday either. This will stay in our memories for a long time, but it is now time to focus on tomorrow.”
Team News
Danilho Doekhi and Robin Gosens, who is now out until the new year, aren’t available.