Opposition Check: VfL Bochum

VfL Bochum established itself in the Bundesliga in 1971. There, the club from western Germany developed into a fixture over many years. Bochum remained in Germany’s top flight for a total of 22 seasons, though they never finished higher than eighth. This lack of success earned Bochum the unflattering nickname „the gray mouse of the league.“ Later, however, this image changed: due to their impressive fighting spirit in the relegation battle, VfL became known as „the unrelegatable ones.“ This label stuck until 1993, when the club was relegated from the Bundesliga for the first time in its history.

In 1994, they achieved immediate promotion back to the Bundesliga, but just one season later, they were relegated again to the second division. A year after that, Bochum was back in the top flight. In the years that followed, the club’s image was defined by constant promotions and relegations. These perpetual moves between the first and second divisions ultimately earned the club the reputation of a „yo-yo club“—an image that haunted VfL Bochum for many years.

Today, after four years in the top tier of German football, VfL Bochum finds itself back in the 2. Bundesliga. The team from the Ruhr region spent the winter break in 10th place, far from any immediate relegation fears, but also not yet in direct contention for promotion. This league position reflects precisely what has defined the club for decades: Bochum fights, perseveres, and remains true to itself.

VfL Bochum ranks third in the league with 105 corner kicks. These corner kicks have already resulted in 37 shots on goal and four goals. Four goals from corners? That’s the second-best tally in the league – only SV Darmstadt 98 has scored more from corner kicks. VfL Bochum is generally considered one of the most dangerous teams in the league when it comes to set pieces: the Ruhr club has scored 35 percent of its goals this season from set pieces.

The scent of spices fills the air. Creamy tomato sauce, a pleasant hint of heat, tender chicken – Butter Chicken. Philipp Hofmann’s favorite dish. It’s straightforward, robust, hearty, and satisfying. Qualities that suit the VfL Bochum striker remarkably well. Hofmann isn’t one for grandstanding. He stands for reliability, hard work, and integrity – both on and off the pitch.

Born on March 30, 1993, in Arnsberg, Hofmann grew up in the Sauerland region. He took his first steps at his hometown club, TSV Rot-Weiß Wenholthausen. SC Neheim served as a stepping stone to Schalke’s youth academy, as his talent for football was evident early on. In Gelsenkirchen, he completed a significant portion of his footballing education, learning discipline, tactical understanding, and the high demands of professional football. He secured a contract with the first team for the 2012/2013 season, but was denied his debut. He then went on loan from Schalke to gain valuable playing experience as a young player.

As a loan player, he spent a year each at SC Paderborn, FC Ingolstadt, and 1. FC Kaiserslautern before moving to England to join Brentford. He once explained to WDR why he needed this time to settle into the Bundesliga: „When I was that young, I wasn’t ready to play in the Bundesliga. All the transfers and the two years abroad taught me a lot and helped me grow. Now I simply feel ready for the Bundesliga, and this is already my third year.“

These experiences shaped him into the type of player he is today: a robust center forward. Strong in the air, tireless in running, and a team player. In the summer of 2022, Hofmann moved to VfL Bochum and quickly found his place both on and off the pitch. Hofmann works relentlessly off the ball, goes into every challenge, draws defenders, and is never afraid to put in the hard work. Goals are important, but not everything. Rather, it is his presence that brings structure to Bochum’s game. Hofmann isn’t a playmaker for the highlight reels, but a hard worker in the truest sense. This is precisely why he is valued by the fans. Because through his robust way of using his body, he embodies a working-class identity.