VFL BOCHUM NEWS

Danny Blum - Plays in mid-week friendly Blum (undisclosed) took the pitch as part of Monday's friendly against De Graafschap.

Impact Blum didn't play the full friendly but the fact that he was on the pitch in a competitive setting bodes well for him being at least in the match-day squad versus Mainz 05 on Saturday. Even if healthy, the forward is far from a lock for the starting XI and may be hard-pressed to secure frequent minutes.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Danilo Soares - Wins eight duels in loss Soares made four tackles (winning two), won eight duels and had three successful take ons in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Wolfsburg.

Impact Soares put in a shift defensively making four tackles while winning two, won eight duels and made an interception. He also carried the ball out of the back when needed to, successfully taking on his defender three times. His next match is on August 21 against Mainz.

AUGUST 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Milos Pantovic - Delivers three crosses as substitute Pantovic took one shot (one on target), delivered three crosses (zero accurate) and created a chance in Saturday's 1-0 loss to Wolfsburg.

Impact Pantovic replaced Takuma Asano at half-time and managed his sides only shot on target. He also sent in three crosses though none were accurate. He may see more playing time with Robert Tesche's suspension after getting sent off. Bochum face Mainz on August 21 next.

AUGUST 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Manuel Riemann - Makes seven saves in loss Riemann made seven saves, saved a penalty and conceded a goal in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Wolfsburg.

Impact Riemann was called upon almost immediately to save Wout Weghorst's penalty in the fourth minute. He played well but was unable to keep out the Dutchman's shot in the 22nd minute. He made seven saves and a clearance while allowing only one goal. His next opponent is Mainz on August 21.

AUGUST 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Simon Zoller - Creates chance in defeat Zoller took one shot (zero on target), won a duel and created a chance in Saturday's 1-0 loss against Wolfsburg.

Impact Zoller had a difficult day made harder by Robert Tesche's early sending off. He was involved with play many times but failed to make much of an impact, failing to hit the target with his lone shot and only creating one chance. He'll hope for a better performance against Mainz on August 21.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Elvis Rexhbecaj - Creates four chances in opener Rexhbecaj took two shots (zero on target), delivered four crosses (two accurate) and created four chances in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to VfL Wolfsburg.

Impact Rexhbecaj was his sides most threatening player, against his parent club, pacing his team in shots and chances created. He also stands to be one of his sides primary set piece taker. His next match comes on August 21 against Mainz.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Robert Tesche - Set off in season opener Tesche received a red card in Saturday's 1-0 loss to Wolfsburg.

Impact Tesche had a nightmare start to the season, getting sent off in the fourth minute of the contest. He will miss the match against Mainz and Koln. He could return on September 12 against Hertha Berlin. Milos Pantovic came on in the second half and may see more playing time in Tesche's absence.

AUGUST 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Hartwig - Out with groin problem Hartwig will be sidelined with a groin injury against Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Impact Hartwig is a product of the Bochum youth system and has made just one appearance for the senior squad. As such, fantasy players shouldn't be expecting him to see much in the way of minutes for the club this year.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Soma Novothny - Picks up knock Novothny sustained an undisclosed injury and will be on the shelf against Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Impact Novothny played in 14 games for Bochum in 2. Bundesliga last year, so fantasy players shouldn't expect him to be a mainstay in the starting XI this season. As such, the forward should be considered a low-end fantasy option even once cleared to play.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Danny Blum - Shelved against Wolves Blum will not be in action versus VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday as a result of an undisclosed injury.

Impact Over the past three seasons with VfB Stuttgart, Blum made just 17 senior team appearances in which he tallied two goals on 24 shots (nine on target), one assist and 24 crosses (two accurate). With Bochum, the forward should see an uptick in opportunities, though he's far from a lock for the starting XI on a weekly basis.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kostas Stafylidis - Will miss season opener Stafylidis is dealing with a lingering shoulder injury that will sideline him against Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Impact Stafylidis missed the entire 2020-21 season after having shoulder surgery in September of 2020 and continues to work his way back from full fitness. Even once cleared to play, the defender will likely serve primarily as a reserve option and shouldn't be expected to feature heavily in the starting XI.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Saulo Decarli - Out Saturday Decarli will not be an option versus Wolfsburg on Saturday due to a thigh injury.

Impact Decarli was unlikely to feature in the starting XI even if fully fit, so his absence is unlikely to impact fantasy players. Even once cleared to play, the defender figures to see minimal usage.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sebastian Polter - Signs with Bochum Polter signed with VFL Bochum on a two-year contract, his new club announced Friday.

Impact Polter joins from Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands, where he scored nine goals and provided five assists after spending three seasons with Union Berlin. Now back in Germany, he'll hope for a bigger role in the Bundesliga than he received two years ago.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Herbert Bockhorn - Questionable Saturday Bockhorn (undisclosed) will face a late fitness test prior to Saturday's matchup with VfL Wolfsburg. Manager Thomas Reis told reporters, "With Herbert Bockhorn, we'll wait for tomo...

Impact Bockhorn was a mainstay in the starting XI last year, as he made 24 appearances with the club. Once fully fit, the defender should be able to push the attack from the backline and generate plenty of crosses. If Bockhorn can't play, Cristian Gamboa figures to take his place on the pitch.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gerrit Holtmann - Out against Wolves Holtmann will be on the shelf versus Wolfsburg on Saturday with a muscular injury but could return Aug. 21 against Mainz. Manager Thomas Reis told reporters, "I assume that Gerrit...

Impact Holtmann will miss the opening match of the Bundesliga season after helping the club earn its promotion last year. Still, the fact that he is expected back for Game Week 2 is good news for the club.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Eduard Lowen - Sidelined with muscular injury Lowen (strain) will be unavailable against VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday. Manager Thomas Reis told reporters, "Eduard #Lowen has muscular problems. You never know exactly how long the...

Impact Lowen dealt with a raft of injuries last year that saw him limited to just seven appearances for Hertha Berlin. Reis' comments would indicate it's not expected to be a long-term injury, though he didn't provide a timeline for when the midfielder might be cleared to play.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Eduard Lowen - Set to miss Pokal Lowen is expected to miss Saturday's DFB-Pokal versus Wuppertaler after being held out of training Thursday. Manager Thomas Reis told reporters, "Eduard Lowen will probably not be...

Impact Lowen was limited to just seven appearances last season as a result of injuries and it appears that trend could carry over into the new Bundesliga campaign. If fully fit, however, the midfielder should be in contention for the starting XI versus Wolfsburg on Aug. 14.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Herbert Bockhorn - Will miss Pokal match Bockhorn will not be an option for Saturday's DFB-Pokal matchup with Wuppertaler after manager Thomas Reis told reporters, "Herbert Bockhorn is also back training but won't be an o...

Impact The fact that Bockhorn is participating in training could mean he is available for the team's Bundesliga opener versus Wolfsburg on Aug. 14. The right-back featured in 24 domestic appearances for Bochum last year, in which he tallied one goal and three assists, and should continue to log plenty of minutes in the starting XI once fully fit.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Esser - Available against Wuppertaler Esser (knee) will be in the match-day squad versus Wuppertaler SV for Saturday's DFB-Pokal match. Manager Thomas Reis told reporters, "Bruno Esser will be part of the squad again."

Impact Esser made 29 appearances for Hannover 96 last season and figures to compete with Manuel Riemann for a spot in the starting XI on a week-to-week basis. While Riemann figures to have the inside track as the No. 1 option, Esser will certainly make holding the starting job easy for him.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Elvis Rexhbecaj - Joins Bochum on loan Rexhbecaj joined Bochum on a season-long loan from Wolfsburg on Monday.

Impact Rexhbecaj is coming off a successful season with five goals and two assists from 30 appearances on loan at Koln, so he should be an asset for the newly-promoted club if he can stay fit.

AUGUST 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kostas Stafylidis - Joins Bochum on loan Stafylidis joined Bochum on loan from Hoffenheim for the 2021/22 season.

Impact Stafylidis didn't play at all last season due to a shoulder injury and will now head out to a different Bundesliga club in order to revive his career. He's a decent attacking threat on the left flank, and that's where he'll likely feature if he can lock down a starting job in the coming season.

AUGUST 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Eduard Lowen - Scores in draw Lowen scored once during 45 minutes in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast.

Impact Lowen scored Germany's only goal during Wednesday's draw, a result that sends Ivory Coast through to the knockout stage. This was Lowen's first goal contribution of the Olympics, and will be his last, at least this year.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Grave - Suffers dislocated shoulder Grave suffered a dislocated shoulder during preseason training but no surgery is required, his club announced Monday.

Impact Grave is a reserve goalkeeper for this club and may not play much in the coming season, with or without an injury.

JULY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Michael Esser - Injures knee in training Esser injured his knee in training and while out for an unspecified amount of time, he'll receive conservative treatment.

Impact Esser signed with Bochum this summer after making 29 appearances for Hannover in Bundesliga 2 last season. This injury takes away any chance he had of becoming the No. 1 for Bochum in the early season.

JULY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takuma Asano - Joins newly promoted side Asano completed a free transfer to Vfl Bochum from Partizan on Tuesday.

Impact Asano returns to Germany having spent three seasons on loan with VfB Stuttgart and Hannover 96 from Arsenal. In 28 Bundesliga appearances, the forward registered just one goal but will look to add to that total with the newly promoted Bochum.

JULY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE