„We want to emerge victoriously“

"We trained more during this break and those players who were away return with more self-confidence and a boost", said keeper Timo Hildebrand. Manager Ralf Rangnick witnessed his vice-skippers performance for his country against Turkey in Zenica/Bosnia and was highly impressed by Sejad Salihovic: "Sejad was the most noticeable man on the pitch and set many highlights, his goal aside."

With only two training sessions remaining before Saturday's game, the players' concentration is entirely on opponent Bochum. Keeper Hildebrand has his mind set on the game already: "We want to emerge victoriously and happily having secured three points. I hope we attack well and show courage." Two weeks after leaving Hanover with a 1-0 victory, manager Rangnick urges his side to get the second consecutive win: "It is about underlining the last performance. I do not expect a gala display. The main thing is to get the three points and therefore, I would accept a 1-0 or a 2-1 for us as well."

Hoffenheim's goalkeeper reckons patience to be the key to success: "In the Bundesliga, there are no gifts so we need to fight from the off. We need to look out for the counter attacks of Bochum and try to find a gap in their defence ourselves." Manager Rangnick cannot include defender Matthias Jaissle and midfielder Tobias Weis into his plans as both players are still sidelined. Moreover, Carlos Eduardo is a doubt due to a flu. The guests, though, have many more players unavailable. After having suffered from injuries, both Vahid Hashemian and Shinji Ono are not yet fully fit again. Also, manager Marcel Koller still needs to wait and see whether Mimoun Azaouagh (rupture of a muscle fibre and infection), Daniel Imhof (infection) and Diego Klimowicz (back problems) will be match fit on Saturday afternoon. Mergim Mavraj is still suffering from toothaches as a consequence of root treatment and is as doubtful as the abovementioned players.

Because of this injury plague, Bochum manager Koller knows who to turn to: Stanislav Sestak, who scored three goals in the last meeting between the two clubs. "Stanislav knows where the goal is and we hope he will find it on Saturday."