VfL Bochum - RB Leipzig

The leader Bochum host budget giant RB Leipzig for the next top clash on this sunday afternoon. Bochum had a really great game before the national break in Fürth where they trashed the home side 5-0. With this result they showed that they do not have any crisis because the result were not in their favor lately. Additional was shown that they are back and the strength of their play is still there. Despite the excellent win two weeks ago they have to look forward and try to beat this strong opponent from Leipzig today to remain on the top. The team from Leipzig has a lot of ups and downs this season already and they need more stability in their results if they want to be a real candidate for promotion.

All in Bochum expects a very hard and even game where only small things give the advantage today. Both teams have the class to win this game of course but Coach Verbeek talk very positive about his team and he is very sure that they are able to win this encounter. They are hard to play and hard to beat as he told on the press conference. Therefore Leipzig has to think a lot how they are to beat above all at home. Additional he hopes for a good mentality of his players to be ahead of the opponent and maybe also mental strong.
It is not possible that Coach Verbeek changes anything, he starts into the Season with a starting lineup which run from success to success and he played 8 times with the same guys before Bastians got injured. Now a new run should be begin after the win to Fürth and this means that Bastians who is back in training and ready for the starting lineup must on bench first. Because Malcom Cacutalua did a great job and played really well, therefore why should I changes said Verbeek. But the Coach from the Netherlands are always good for some surprises, so we have to wait what he fields. The players behind had a good test friendly under the national break where they could beat Cologne 3-0. Some of them made some noise and hope to get a chance now.

Leipzig's Coach Rangnick see this game very interesting and also for a very good test for his team if they are able to compete with the top of the league. This may can be a really good sign if they are able to be a real promotion candidate or if they must pass and start the next attempt next Season again. He said that they are not the favorite despite the better budget they have but he think that his team is able to get something there. On the press conference he mentioned that Bochum plays really fast and this must be stopped and on the other side they need fast switch between defensive and offensive where they get a lot of space because Bochum defends very high.
It is not far away that Rangnick put up the same lineup as before the break to Nürnberg. The only difference can be that Forsberg is back in the starting lineup after his injury what makes Rangnick happy to see him back for more options in offensive. For this change are some moves in the lineup needed, Kaiser move from the left wing back in the central midfield while Demme has a place on bench then. But if Demme remain in starting lineup it is also possible that Ilsanker plays in central back and replace Compper there who had not the best day against Nürnberg. New signing Nukan is back in team training after injury but should be no option for this game today.