VfL Bochum - 1.FC Nürnberg

This is one of the traditional games in Germany, both meet each other several times, if in 1.BL or in 2.BL. Bochum comes to this encounter as leader, they have done their work and play a very good style of football under former Nürnberg Coach Verbeek. He plays against his former club where he was sucked and this give this duel some more explosiveness additional. Nürnberg was thinking they have solved all problems from last Season but this was only in their mind. The start was awful and their play too. A lot of work to do and with the bad atmosphere there it is always hard to work. Nevertheless both clubs are among sooner or later to return in 1.BL but for this you need an excellent Season in this close 2.BL. Maybe Bochum has the better time now and they can walk their way this Season.

It was not an easy thing in Nürnberg as Coach Verbeek said already and he still follow his former club very well. He is very interested what Nürnberg is doing and how is the mood there. He is very happy to see some friends from Nürnberg but nevertheless he wants to concentrate of his team and give him the right tactic on the way. He wants to beat his former club and give all for Bochum now to have a successful future.
Squad wise he has not reason to changes his successful team from last weekend. They played a great game by big promotion favorite Freiburg and won there 3-1. The team looked very balanced right now and all are doing their job very well. They have a good squad compared to other years and the players understand the Coach style of play more and more. It is working for Bochum right now. Some rumors about Terodde who should have some offers from other clubs. Bochum's top Goalgetter has woken up some interest from other clubs due to his successful play. He is one of the strikers in the league who scores his goal every Season. His trend was very good the last years and this is the outcome now. If he leaves Bochum it is a huge blow for them and they can not replace him similar. But for this match he is in the squad and ready for the next 90. minutes for Bochum.
After two weeks Mlapa is in the squad for today's game and he should help to give Verbeek more options, the second new signing Eisfeld should play not matter for this game, he needs a few trainings session with his team mates and next week he should be in squad then.

It was a lot of luck what Nürnberg had in derby against 1860 Munich last monday. They were totally outplayed from 1860 in first half and were only 0-1 down. It should have been much more, but after the break they managed to find better into the game and they were able to come from behind and took the lead, but this was to much of luck and 1860 equalized. The outcome was maybe ok but if we take a look at all 90. minutes it was big luck. The defensive work is awful and the players have a lot of problems, in offensive they are maybe able to create some and hurt the opponent with their fast players but the whole team does not work together. Coach Weiler demands from his team that they have to play much better, independent from result. He mentioned also that he expect a very tough game in Bochum for his team.
Compared to the last game some changes are possible. Maybe some players come new into the team, some must changes their positions and so on. Some changes are expected with Bulthuis who had a really bad day in central back, he is maybe out of the starting lineup. Petrak can move back from midfield and play in central back again. While Behrens move from offensive midfield beside Polak and plays on central midfield then. This maybe give Nürnberg more stability and they can only hope that they can stop Bochum's offensive power then. In offense part is a position free who can be taken by Gislason who played really great pre-season but showed nothing in league games so far. He was maybe a bit better against 1860 after he came in but he has to prove it again. The other positions remain maybe unchanged. The only problem for Nürnberg is the wing, Füllkrug could not convince there and Burgstaller who plays this position right now was much more dangerous in the middle as attacker. This is maybe one of the offensive problems for Coach Weiler .......

If we compare all last games form both teams, it is not far away if we say that there will be goals. Above all Bochum has a lot of offensive power while Nürnberg is very shaky in defensive what speaks really for some goals. On the other side is Nürnberg able with their fast players up front to hurt Bochum a bit too.