- Bochum offers post-Cup match encouragement: "Maintain a positive attitude"
Despite their premature departure from the DFB-Pokal, VfL Bochum remains optimistic about a promising start to their Bundesliga campaign. "We had envisioned making deep runs in the cup. That ambition has been dashed now. There are certainly areas we need to enhance," conceded coach Peter Zeidler following their 0:1 (0:0) loss to SSV Jahn Regensburg. "But I am positive that we can accomplish that."
The footballers from the Ruhr district aren't shying away from the challenge. Their first match in the league is an away fixture against RB Leipzig coming up on the 15th (15:30/Sky). "We're not burying our heads in the sand," voiced Maximilian Wittek regarding the early setback.
"Euphoria not completely vanished"
Captain Anthony Losilla remarked, "Things weren't that awful, but we lost to a second division team we were heavily favored to beat. We've got to learn from this. We've got to stay hopeful," demanded the Frenchman. Last season, VfL Bochum too was ousted in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.
In fact, Bochum had entered the game with high spirits. They had managed to dodge relegation from the Bundesliga in the spring, and new coach Zeidler had injected new vigor, giving VfL fans renewed hope through recent trials. However, a goal by Regensburg's Florian Ballas (70th minute) and some missed opportunities led to their first stumble. "That was quite a knock," admitted Zeidler, but quickly added, "The euphoria hasn't completely vanished."
The Ruhr area football team, VfL Bochum, will face RB Leipzig in their first Bundesliga campaign match on the 15th. Despite the early setback in the DFB-Pokal, Losilla urges hope, stating, "We've got to stay hopeful."
