VfL Bochum - Union Berlin

The next match starts at 13 o'clock in Vonovia Ruhrstadium when VfL Bochum hosts Union Berlin. Both teams are counted to the promotion candidates but both have to replace a lot of their important players to begin. It is very important to get a good start and count on this in the upcoming matches therefore both are required to push.

After coming in as 5th last Season they are aiming for more right now but the man who makes this all possible left the club and decides to make the next step in his career. VfL top striker Simon Terodde (left to VfB Stuttgart) is to replace with his 25 goals from last Season and this can be a very difficult task for them anyway. But they have the power and attitude to be one of the top teams this Season again.
They try to handle this with different players like new signings because from Fürth they got midfield players Weiland, Stiepermann and Wurtz, from Paderborn they signed Kevin Stöger and Wydra from Bundesliga newcomer RB Leipzig came Quaschner. Also new is Canouse from 1899 Hoffenheim. With all this guys they try to build a new offense and be as dangerous as they can. It would be very interesting which guys have done the job and be in the starting lineup today. Overall after the last test friendlies and trainings it looks like only Weilandt and Stiepermann made it.
But nevertheless this can be a big advantage compared to other teams to begin as they can count on a well balanced team from last Season. The defensive line is the same from last Season and should work from beginning on. With keeper Riemann and the defending line with Perthel, Bastians, Hoogland and Celozzi they are ready and must be beaten first. Up front they count on Mlapa after hero Terodde is not there yet. He made some good performances in preparation and if he continues his way this can maybe a good replacement anyway.

The team from Berlin Köpenick is always very close to be a candidate for promotion but they could not manage this over a whole Season therefore they are coming in on the places behind the top 3. Of course, this is a big success for the club but they want more sooner or later. With the new Coach Keller they want to get the next step. With his experience and reputation they want to be more in focus. This is Keller's first job after he was fired at Schalke in October 2014.
What they can bring on the pitch this Season showed some test friendlies when they could beat Udinese 3-2 or Utrecht 3-0. This was a good statement for the league but in offensive they are maybe a bit short of options with only Hosinier as attacker and they should try to get some more options in the next weeks because they transfer window is open until end of August.
Key for them is maybe that they are well rehearsed too. With only two new guys in the starting eleven expected they can bring almost all their power from last Season on the pitch. Both new guys are well integrated in the play and should help to bring them to a good start. With striker Hosinier and back wing Pedersen they want to raise their quality. The biggest quality should be their midfield row with Kreilach, Fürstner and new captain Kroos. One of the best in this league and can be a key factor for Union's play.