Second unit in Bochum, a new eye-catcher. In addition to the newly signed Dani de Witt, VfL is also hoping for new competition from its own ranks.
Noah Loosli doesn’t just want to watch from the bench. IMAGO/Revierfoto
The change is once again a little bigger at the club in the region. After all, regular players such as Keven Schlotterbeck, Kevin Stöger and Patrick Osterhage have to be replaced for the new round. And they are also voluntarily doing without the regular goalkeeper of previous years, Manuel Riemann.
It is no easy task for sporting director Marc Lettau and co. to put together a new squad that is even stronger than last year’s. And that is mainly made up of players who are moving to Castroper Strasse on a free transfer.
Two free transfer bargains for Bochum
But there are strong signals coming from there around the start of training. With the signing of Ibrahima Sissoko and Dani de Wit, who are highly respected regular players in their clubs in the French and Dutch leagues, two real bargains have gone into the Bochum net. And that despite other financially strong interested parties and in keeping with the club’s style: free of charge.
Sissoko was the focus of attention when training began on Wednesday, and on Thursday de Wit also took part in a training session for the first time. Two new strategists for the midfield; coach Peter Zeidler announced that they are still looking for players for all parts of the team, including the goalkeeper, of course. Five external players have been signed so far, and three or four more are to come.
In addition, VfL is of course hoping for greater competition from players who were signed last year but have not yet really made an impact. Fresh talent from within the team, who have impressed at times but have not helped in the long term.
Players fell short of expectations
This applies, for example, to Moritz Kwarteng, who is injured again and who was also out for a long time during his first time in Bochum due to adductor problems. Now the versatile attacker is struggling to get back into the swing of things in his rehab in his hometown of Stuttgart after tearing his medial ligament.
Kwarteng has clearly underperformed in his first year in Bochum, as has Lukas Daschner, who Lettau and others still believe will become an important force in Bochum’s offense. There is certainly room for improvement for Maxi Wittek and Felix Passlack, who only really impressed at the end of the season.
That leaves Noah Loosli, VfL’s very first signing last year, but the Swiss player was only used sporadically. Thomas Letsch, for example, praised the defender almost like a mantra as a “model professional”. According to Letsch, no one works as hard on their fitness, including with regard to eating right and getting plenty of sleep, as Loosli.
However, there were great doubts from the start, as people in Switzerland were largely surprised that a Bundesliga club had actually signed the defender, who played extremely differently.
Loosli wants to follow up with further heroic deeds
Loosli was sometimes a substitute on the right wing, sometimes in his regular place in central defence, but mostly left out. But we also remember his brilliant rescue act in the very last second of the relegation match in Düsseldorf (5:6 on penalties), when he prevented Fortuna from scoring with a monster tackle and thus prevented relegation.
It is logical that he would like to follow up with further heroic deeds and wants to make a better impression in his second attempt under a new coach than in his first year at VfL. Loosli is in good shape at the start of training.
And: Peter Zeidler knows no other Bochum player as well as Loosli, whom he saw for years in the Swiss league. Who knows, maybe the 27-year-old will blossom in his second year. The model professional will certainly not lack fitness or attitude.
2024-07-04 14:12:18
#Bundesliga #Looslis #attempt #VfL #Bochum
