"Ben, do your thing"

Heraf’s extra motivation spurred on the DFB U20 players

In the 1:1 away draw against Rapid, Ben Bobzien put Vorarlberg ahead with his first Bundesliga goal.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The 1:1 against Rapid showed that coach Andreas Heraf has breathed new life into the Vorarlberg team. The seemingly inevitable relegation does not seem to be a done deal after all. And suddenly he's also scoring goals - like DFB U20 player Ben Bobzien. 

Before the start of the season, Ben Bobzien came to Lustenau on loan from German Bundesliga club FSV Mainz 05 and experienced many disappointments in the fall. The 20-year-old really hit the ground running for the first time in the 1:1 draw against Rapid. With his opening goal, he ensured that Lustenau took a point from Hütteldorf. "It was a great assist from our keeper. I knew the pitch was wet, so I decided to shoot the ball low into the corner." This makes him only the sixth Lustenau goalscorer this season.

Heraf as a stroke of luck
For Bobzien, it was a stroke of personal luck. "It's a huge relief for me, it's just a shame that it wasn't three points." In his 16th appearance in Austria kit, the U20 DFB team player put in his best performance to date. Also thanks to the motivational skills of Andreas Heraf. "The coach said that I deserved to play because of my great training performance." Immediately before the game, he cheered Bobzien on again. "Hey, Ben, do your thing! We can upset Rapid."

Opponent at eye level
And how! After the 7-0 defeat in Salzburg, the draw was a balm for the soul - and not just for Bobzien. "We're trying to achieve our goal as a team. We train well, so everyone is improving." The team seems ready for the relegation battle and proved in Vienna that it can do more than just stonewall. That gives us confidence. Bobzien too: "Apart from Salzburg, we've always played well in the spring. And now the opponents are on an equal footing."

Brother works in the Bregenzerwald
Bobzien can look forward to having his fingers crossed for the home games. His brother Tom works as a carpenter in Au in the Bregenzerwald and completed his apprenticeship at the Madlener joinery. "As a result, I quickly felt at home in Vorarlberg. Although, unlike Mainz, it's very tranquil and relaxed here."