Bochum hardship cases and green light for ZOLLER

Jürgen Locadia has to fit because of hip complaints, Christopher Antwi-Adjei is not available on the weekend. Otherwise, 23 field players are ready for use, "that," says coach Thomas Rice, "is the agony of choice, and there will be of course hardening cases. But I'm glad that I have so many possibilities."

Among other things, the Werkself does not have to come into play and to assert itself against the expected offensive power of the tramplitor. "Leverkusen has reached a higher level again, brings a lot of dynamics and speed. That's a giant quality," says rice full of respect.

His specification: "We have to edit Leverkusen and leave them a little scope," says rice, which will probably continue on a 4-2-3-1 in midfield and the most recently remained in the defensive midfield Kostas Stafylidis is left in the team.

The expected Leverkusen tempo in the offensive would speak that Armel Bella Kotchap comes back into the team after his youth barrier, although Erhan Masovic convinced as a solid representative. Then rice would be proven in the rise year and also convincing domestic-defending duo with Maxim Leitsch and just Bella Kotchap, two young stars from their own talentwork.

"Both needed some attempt in the Bundesliga, Armel more. But both have also developed great and achieved a very good level," praises rice.

Zoller returns to the matchday gate

The most important personnel question in front of the first home game at Castroper Straße after the mug-based game against Borussia Mönchengladbach also affects Simon Zoller. "Medial," says rice smirking, "was all prepared for some time for his return."

In fact, in the last few days and even weeks around the VfL, it was a big topic when the experienced scorer returns to the team after his cruciate ligament crack suffered in September. Against Leverkusen it should be so far after no complaints occurred in the expired training week.

"Nothing speaks against being there in the matchday gadder," confirms rice. "He makes a very good impression and goes into the duels without fear." In the first phase of the season before his serious injury, Zoller had already achieved two goals in four games, before he had been in the rise year with 15 hits next to Robert Zulj best Bochumer scorer. With his return, the Bochum offensive will again be more difficult to count.

A total of 80 missions, the 30-year-old has previously been denied in the Bundesliga, 119 in the 2nd league. Shortly before his injury Zoller had extended his contract prematurely until 2024 to Bochum.