Bochum’s Timo Horn turbocharged after keeping clean sheet in Bundesliga comeback | OneFootball

Bochum goalkeeper Timo Horn’s highly long-awaited return to the Bundesliga could not have gone better. The former FC Köln mainstay started for just his second Bundesliga club on Saturday afternoon, almost three years to the day after he kept a clean sheet in his last appearance for the team he made 201 top flight appearances for.

The result? Another clean sheet in his 202nd Bundesliga appearance. The 31-year-old picked up right where he left off, earning the coveted “Weiße Weste” (“White vest”) for the 46th time in the Bundesliga.

Horn made a crucial save on Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy in the 11th minute to set the tone in Bochum’s eventual 2-0 victory over their Ruhr rivals. Beyond that, there wasn’t all that much for him to do.

The Köln-native was sure to accord himself credit for helping set the tone in the highly charged “kleines Revierderby”. Horn was nevertheless quick to credit the back-five in front of him too for excellent defending despite several key absences affecting the defensive corps.

“Without question, it gave the team confidence, and helped me establish my game,” Horn told Sky Germany when asked about the Guirassy save.

“It was incredible how the boys plowed through today,” Horn nevertheless added, “How they ran and defended everything away. Everyone can be proud. It was an excellent performance from the team defensively. The fans also carried the team through the game.

“It’s highly emotional for me and my family,” Horn said when reflecting on his comeback in general. “Coming back after three years isn’t something one takes for granted. I’m grateful to have been given another chance to show what I can do in Bochum.

“Of course it was my big goal when I signed in the summer to become the # 1 in the long term,” Horn concluded. “That’s what I work for. I think I made good use of this chance. The rest is up to [head coach Dieter] Hecking.“

GGFN | Peter Weis