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Avi_
VfL Bochum.
Verein für Leibesübungen Bochum 1848 Fußballgemeinschaft their full name, is a football club based in the city of Bochum, in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. Founded in 1848, Bochum is one of the oldest football clubs playing in Germany, having a pause in play during World War II.
Bochum in short, is one of the more successful German clubs, having appeared in Europe twice, and obtaining a few trophies in their cabinet. Being 2nd division champions three times, the last one coming in the 2005-06 season, DFB Pokal finalists twice, qualifying for the former UEFA Cup twice, the last one being in 2003-04.
However, VfL Bochum hasn’t seen Bundesliga football in almost a decade, being relegated in 2009-10.
Refraining from the history of the team, let’s talk about the side, shall we?
Coming to this side, I knew there were some strong areas within the squad, like my wings, I knew with the Australian Robbie Kruse and former Schalke winger Sidney Sam, Hoffenheim loanee Philipp Ochs, my wings were pretty solid for this season.
With my wingers being my best part about the side, my mind regarding our tactical setup was about set for the side. Having a look with my midfield, I knew my numbers were going to be light for the midfield, and with the versatile Hoogland, I’d want to use him as a CB, so I definitely needed to add numbers for my midfield.
Overall, the team is structured quite nicely, only needing some small improvements in areas, apart from my midfield, which needed a big improvement with whom I had at my disposal. Looking into the transfer window, I’m only in need of looking for:
- A young GK
- Young ST
- 2 CDMs
- A CB
With whom I brought in for the summer were good moves, in my book. I changed my prize money down to low, due to my budgets being, extremely low. With using the allocated money received dropping the prize money, have to say, I was surprised myself on my acquiring.
Hamit Altintop was someone I was not expecting to sign, at all. But regardless, who would turn down a player like him? As he agreed to a 2 year deal for a rotation option in my midfield and an easy step in if a starter is hurt.
Franck Kom was also the intention for Altintop. A solid rotation option who can step in when a player is hurt without necessarily dropping quality amongst the starting side.
Murillo is a signing I'm not really, happy with, but I needed a young striker to offer not only depth but youth to a really limited area I have up top. Being 18, I'd guarantee him so playing time during cup games mainly, if not, he'd probably be loaned right out to a side in the 3rd tier or Regionalliga.
Sebastian Boenisch was a move I was very very pleased with. I heavily needed a good CB to run up with along my other starting CB Hoogland, he offers a solid few years for the side.
Tim Otto being 19 offers youth, and various options regarding a bit of youth for my youth, as well as my 3rd choice keeper for the season.
Tactically, deciding on the right tactic for the side didn’t come into many problems, I knew what to run with whom I had at my disposal. A 4-2-3-1 DM Wide. Not really needing to explain why it’s the best, it was a formation I was pretty much I guess, forced into using. With the use of defensive midfielders, they offer me a role I don’t have much experience using, the Segundo Volante. Is it a bit of a risk on using one? Of course, but I can’t say no to using the role.
Regarding the Instructions, Mentality, & Team Shape:
- Standard
I’ve never been fond of other mentalities. I’ve found standard the perfect balance, as it says hovering over it.
- Fluid
I was a bit envious on the team shape, I didn’t know if I wanted to be flexible, remaining structured in tight games, fluid in attack, but I entrusted this side to maintain a fluid shape since I want to have it work with my instructions and my player instructions I have on a few players.
- Pass Into Space
I wanted to use this instruction for one purpose, is my striker Hinterseer. Given his height advantage being 6’4” (193cm) he can easily win the ball in the air and with my wingers, they can easily outmaneuver the defenders to cut inside the box or cross.
- Work Ball Into Box
No-brainer isn’t it? Using IFs, having the instruction is a definite necessity for me with my finishing ability for my whole attack.
- Use Tighter Marking
I normally have this as a go-to instruction, and playing in Germany, you’re basically foreign not marking hard playing tough football.
- Higher Tempo
I overlooked at the side, seeing a lot of high attributes for work rate, teamwork, and stamina. Utilizing higher tempo really can make it hard especially with aggressive pressing sides that I’ll face this season.
- Prevent Short GK Distribution
I see this instruction be overlooked a lot. It’s very useful to prevent time wasting for the opposition to not allow any more opportunities in the latter stages of the game.
Preseason came with a bit of surprise and disappointment. With my first friendly, I had not one, two, but three players go down to injury, which came with a bit of shame, however, I powered through it ending the preseason on a big high, with a 3-3 draw with Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach.
In along going through June and July we also played our first two matches for the 2. Bundesliga season.
Matchday 1 came to a big surprise, putting four goals past a side who’s been in the promotion playoffs in recent seasons, Braunschweig. Seeing the likes of Hinterseer put two past, Kruse assisting two built up a bit load of confidence for the start of the season.
However, heading into MD2 against Erzgebirge Aue, I wasn’t expecting that much of a fight against the East German side. Losing 2-1 with the second goal coming in injury time, I was really frustrated. But, got to move ahead on to the next games coming.
But hey, at least Aue's manager was honest.
Coming to the end of the second matchday, we have something to build with, being early in the season, plenty of time to pull off some big results during the season.
Grimnir
Avi_
Cheers!
Dan