Baumann could return for Hoffenheim against Bochum

Christian Ilzer has revealed that Oliver Baumann could make his return to the Hoffenheim goal for this weekend’s game against VfL Bochum.

After missing five Bundesliga games with a foot injury, Hoffenheim captain Oliver Baumann could return to action against Bochum this weekend.

The veteran goalkeeper is back in training and, as head coach Christian Ilzer revealed at a press conference on Friday, has a realistic chance of replacing Luca Philipp in the starting line-up.

“It’s definitely looking good for ‘Oli’,” Ilzer told reporters on Friday. 

“We will wait for the final training session and then make a decision. But if ‘Oli’ is in top fit, he’ll be in goal tomorrow.”

Norwegian defender Leo Østigård, who missed last week’s 1-1 draw with Stuttgart due to a minor injury, is also in contention for a starting berth.

“As with Oliver Baumann, we’ll have to wait for the final training session with Leo to see if the minor injury is completely healed,” said Ilzer.

If that is the case and Østigård has no further problems, he is “definitely an option for the starting eleven,” the Hoffenheim coach added.