Overview

• Bochum’s interim coach David Siebers, appointed after Dieter Hecking’s exit and assessed only until the international break, seeks a first win after losing his debut as his low‑scoring side hosts Fortuna.
• Fortuna’s Daniel Thioune enters the Bochum trip under acute scrutiny after a slow start, conceding the club overstated its targets as leadership signals the performance could determine his future.
• Union coach Steffen Baumgart received a one‑match suspension and €15,000 fine for his red card in Frankfurt, with DFB rules barring any team contact 30 minutes before and after the HSV game; assistant Sebastian Bönig will lead on the day.
• Bönig said both Baumgart and Oliver Burke will pay into the team fund over recent incidents and indicated Union will still tap Baumgart’s HSV knowledge despite his restricted access.
• HSV travel encouraged by their 2:1 win over Heidenheim — their first Bundesliga victory since returning — for the clubs’ first top‑flight meeting, as Merlin Polzin finalizes his squad after the last training with late calls on Yussuf Poulsen and Jordan Torunarigha.