Bochum Faces Challenge with Goalkeeper Debut Ahead of Dortmund Derby

BOCHUM, Germany — The VfL Bochum football team is preparing for a tough matchup against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday at 3:30 PM local time. Coach Dieter Hecking faces considerable challenges, including the absence of several key players and a last-minute goalkeeper change due to Patrick Drewes falling ill.

Hecking will have to make do without four regular starters, complicating an already difficult situation for the Bundesliga’s last-placed team. Drewes, who was expected to start in goal, is sidelined with a fever, paving the way for newcomer Timo Horn. This match will mark Horn’s official debut after transferring from RB Salzburg last summer.

“It’s a great game when you’ve waited so long for your chance, and now you get to play in a derby,” Hecking said of Horn’s upcoming debut. He added, with a chuckle, “Timo doesn’t need to do anything spectacular—he just needs to keep a clean sheet.”

In addition to Drewes, Bochum will be without Myron Boadu, Felix Passlack, and Maximilian Wittek due to injuries and a yellow card suspension. Despite these absences, Hecking remains upbeat about his team’s prospects against a high-caliber opponent.

“We have to do a bit of improvisation, but there’s no point in complaining. That’s part of a coach’s daily routine,” he stated confidently. “We have a good team that will put up a strong fight in the derby.”

Hecking acknowledged the notable talent within the Dortmund squad but pointed out inconsistencies in their performance this season. “You never know what you’re going to get from them. They have the quality, but they haven’t shown it consistently,” he explained.

The coach’s strategy will focus on tightening defense and making life difficult for the Dortmund attackers. “If they have space, they are lethal. They are among the best in the Bundesliga under those conditions,” Hecking warned.

Interestingly, Bochum’s recent history against Dortmund adds a glimmer of hope. The last Bundesliga victory for Dortmund at the Ruhrstadion was 15 years ago, and since Bochum’s promotion in 2021, the two teams have drawn in all three encounters.

“It’s a derby; it doesn’t matter whether you’re the underdog or the favorite. The larger team usually has more to lose,” Hecking concluded, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense match.