Hecking confirms more misconduct from Baldé, provides update on Bernardo’s return

VfL Bochum trainer Dieter Hecking provided updates on problematic striker Aliou Baldé and returning fullback Bernardo whilst speaking at his Thursday presser. 

Since singing on loan from OGC Nice this summer, Guinean winger Aliou Baldé hasn’t been able to gain much traction at last-placed Bundesliga side VfL Bochum. After making five (mostly brief) relief appearances through the first six rounds of the season, the 21-year-old hasn’t made a match-day squad since. There are reports that the former Senegalese youth international has been showing up late for training and feigning illness. 

As soon as veteran trainer Dieter Hecking took over the Revierklub, Baldé was thrown out of first-team training. Speaking at his Thursday pre-match presser, Hecking confirmed that there was another scene that will keep him off the coach’s roster for now. Without going into detail, Hecking noted that there was another case of misconduct. 

“Aliou is missing again after there was another incident I didn’t like,” Hecking noted at the press conference, “It’s for disciplinary reasons. Everything else remains internal.” 

Hecking did have some good news to report at the presser. Brazilian left-back/wingback Bernardo may be ready to log minutes against Augsburg this weekend. With an estimated market worth of €7 million, the 29-year-old remains the most valuable player on the VfL roster. Only an early season injury prevented him from making a lucrative move to another club. 

“He’s an important player for us,” Hecking said at the presser, “We all know that. Now it’s a question as to whether he’s up for more than a few minutes.”

“He has coped well with the increased [training] workload,” Hecking continued, “But one must be careful in the face of risk.”