Matchday in focus: Bochum in calmer waters | OneFootball

They are picking up more points and conceding fewer goals, but Bochum will be without defensive lynchpin Bernardo and are sweating over the fitness of key midfielder Bero for the visit of Eintracht.

Tactics

VfL Bochum have been lining up in a rigid 5-3-2 in recent weeks, with goalkeeper Timo Horn, defender Bernardo, a three-man midfield of Matúš Bero, Tom Krauß and Ibrahima Sissoko, and a two-man attack of Philipp Hofmann and Georgios Masouras forming the spine of the team. “All three [of my midfielders] work hard, all three are strong in the tackle,” head coach Dieter Hecking said on Friday – although he may be without Slovakia international Bero this weekend due to illness.

Bochum have upset the odds twice in recent weeks, recording memorable victories over Borussia Dortmund (2-0) and Bayern Munich (3-2). “We need points, no matter how we get them,” added Hecking. “Whether it’s through our press in attack, in midfield, or with a very deep block – we’ll have a think about that. In the end, the result is the only thing that matters.”

Absentees

Aside from Bero, Bochum are also sweating over the fitness of Moritz Broschinski (calf) and Mohammed Tolba (illness). Bernardo is suspended after being shown his fifth yellow card of the season last time out.

Eintracht are without Kevin Trapp (shin), Timothy Chandler (thigh) and Igor Matanovic (foot). A decision on Arthur Theate’s fitness will be made nearer the time.

One to watch

Twenty-nine-year-old Bero is integral to Bochum’s build-up play. The midfielder played for FK AS Trencin between 2005 and 2016 and enjoyed spells at Trabzonspor and Vitesse Arnhem before joining Bochum in 2023. He has played more passes in the opposition half (478) than any of his team-mates this season, making a significant contribution to VfL’s efforts in the final third.

Bero…

Key stats and runs

The average age of Bochum’s starting XI this season is 28 years and 182 days – the oldest in the division.

While Eintracht have scored more goals on the break (eight) than any other side this term, Bochum have yet to find the net from a counter-attack in 2024/25.

Reunited

Eagles boss Dino Toppmöller spent time with Bochum as a player, while assistant coach Jan Fießer held the same role at VfL between 2022 and 2024. The 38-year-old also knows Bero from their spell with Vitesse.

Bochum’s Felix Passlack, meanwhile, played with Mario Götze and Mo Dahoud at Borussia Dortmund. He was also Nnamdi Collins’ team-mate in BVB’s U23 side.