“We’re close”

36 points after 29 match days – staying in the Bundesliga is within our grasp. Now we have to keep up the concentration. On Easter Saturday, 3:30pm (CET), VfL Bochum 1848 will host SC Freiburg. Before the away game at Freiburg, head coach Thomas Reis answered journalists’ questions as usual.

Thomas Reis on…

… the personnel situation: As of now, every player in the squad will be available. Jürgen Locadia and Christopher Antwi-Adjei are also back from injury. So, we are spoilt for choice. Of course, I prefer everyone being fit, even if a few players have to stay at home.

… SC Freiburg: We know exactly what we’re up against. If you look back at the two games against Freiburg this season, the inferior team won each time. In the league, Freiburg dominated most of the game, in the cup we were in control. In any case, it will be hard work. Freiburg are in contention for a place in the Champions League and have reached the German Cup semi-finals. Christian Streich and his team are playing an incredible season again. They’re unbelievably dangerous from set pieces, that’s an additional weapon. They always press very high. But we also want to attack. We have to go full throttle for 90 minutes to take something home.

… a possible preliminary decision about staying in the league: If we managed to stay in the league, it would feel like a championship. I have often emphasised that. I don’t even want to think about whether we will be able to celebrate after this weekend or not. Of course, we are close, and with every point we win, we get closer to the miracle. But we’re totally focused on this game on Saturday. If we get three points there, we can still look at our rivals’ results.

… Jürgen Locadia: Jürgen has had a decent week’s training. Of course, he still lacks a bit of match fitness. Let’s see whether he’ll be in the squad and how long he can play. There are two, sometimes three options for each position in the team.

… Gerrit Holtmann: At the moment, not everything comes off for him. Nevertheless, he keeps trying hard in training. Everybody expects a lot from a player like Gerrit because he has incredible potential. We can definitely rely on him.

… Miloš Pantović: Milos is a versatile player. He is not a typical winger, but he has definite qualities for this position. He is strong defensively. Our central midfield has been very compact and stable lately, which is why Milos has been moved to the wing.