Following their disappointing performance against Gladbach last weekend, Letsch was not satisfied with the first-half display of fullbacks Danilo Soares and Cristian Gamboa.
Bochum will face FC Augsburg this coming Saturday,
Ahead of a crucial match in the fight against relegation, VfL Bochum trainer Thomas Letsch spoke at a press conference on Thursday about his team’s fullback problems. Following their disappointing performance against Gladbach last weekend, Letsch was not satisfied with the first-half display of fullbacks Danilo Soares and Cristian Gamboa. Both players were replaced at the start of the second half by Konstantinos Staylidis and Saidy Janko, respectively. Although Letsch acknowledged the improved performance of the substitutes during the second half, their overall display was still unsatisfactory. Last weekend’s defeat saw Bochum slip back into the relegation zone, increasing the pressure on the team as they attempt to avoid relegation.
Bochum will face FC Augsburg this coming Saturday, a team that snapped their seven-game winless streak with a 1-0 victory over 1. FC Union Berlin last week. A win for Augsburg would effectively secure their safety, while Bochum would be in serious trouble if they lose.
Letsch must find in-form fullbacks
Augsburg trainer Enrico Maaßen is also facing his own personnel problems, with key striker Mergi Berisha still questionable due to injury. First-choice goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz is still out, and two starters from Maaßen’s previous XI, midfielder Arne Engels and attacker Ruben Vargas, must be replaced. However, Maaßen’s personnel problems are not as serious as Letsch’s. Letsch must find in-form fullbacks, as all the players he has deployed in that position in recent games, including winger Jordi Osei-Tutu, have been ineffective. Letsch admitted that both fullbacks were not in peak form, both physically and mentally. Costa Rican Gamboa has struggled to settle into a rhythm since returning from injury, while Soares, despite his technical ability, has been making too many mistakes. Letsch believes that Soares has been overthinking, which has led to a negative spiral in his performance.
The trainer also confirmed that Philipp Forster would start in midfield due to injuries to Osei-Tutu
Letsch hinted that he would likely give Dominique Heintz the nod at left-back over Soares on Saturday. Heintz is perhaps the only player who has had some success in that position. Letsch also confirmed that Philipp Forster would start in midfield due to injuries to Osei-Tutu, Patrick Osterhage, and Moritz Broschinski. “This is a huge opportunity to improve our situation,” Letsch said of the upcoming match. “The season doesn’t all come down to this, but it’s an exceptionally important match.”
The pressure is on both teams as they approach this critical match. Bochum needs a win to stay out of the relegation zone, while Augsburg needs a win to secure their safety. With both teams facing personnel problems, it will be interesting to see which team can rise to the challenge and come out on top.