Eight weeks to safety – Part one

April 2nd 2013 – Markus Gisdol revealed as the new manager

TSG risks a new start in the middle of the season. Markus Gisdol made a return to Hoffenheim to become the new manager having previously worked with the U23s. Alexander Rosen also took up a new role on this day. The former head of the youth development centre became the new head of professional football. Gisdol/Rosen was the new powerful duo in Hoffenheim.

April 4th 2013 – First pre-match press conference with Markus Gisdol

“Not every game is do or die,” said the manager. His focus was on developing how Hoffenheim played football rather than the fight for survival. Part of the plan was to integrate TSG's youth players into the first team.

April 5th 2013 – 3-0 home win against Fortuna Düsseldorf

Gisdol put his words into action bringing Andreas Ludwig from the U23s into the first team. The team showed a new side in the match between 17th and 15th in the table. Early pressing was one of the key components in an impressive display. Roberto Firmino and Kevin Volland scored one each, with Andreas Lambertz's own goal providing the third. It wasn't all roses though, with goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes suffering a hand injury that would keep him out for the rest of the season. Koen Casteels did well after coming on and took over the number one role.

April 13th 2013 – 2-2 draw in Wolfsburg

The first setback for Gisdol and his coaching staff. TSG held the lead for a long time against the Wolves but Naldo's header in the 86th minute ensured the points were shared. “There were lots of good things today but we would have preferred to take three points away with us. That was a possibility today but nevertheless we'll look ahead to the next game with real optimism. Everything is possible for us still,” said captain Andreas Beck after the match.

April 20th 2013 – Defeat in Leverkusen

TSG suffered a comprehensive 5-1 defeat against a brilliant Bayer Leverkusen side, helped out by Eugen Polanski's early red card after bringing down Stefan Kießling as the last man. “We played against an opponent that had a good day. On top of that we got an early red card – the team is not stable enough yet to withstand that kind of setback,” said Markus Gisdol in his press conference in the BayArena.

April 27th 2013 – 2-1 home win against Nürnberg

“If we were a little more clinical we would have been more than 2-0 up. That way we wouldn't have had any nervous moments. We're enjoying our football and we're working hard in training. The football that we're playing suits us,” explained Kevin Volland in the mixed zone after the match. Markus Gisdol was continuing to deliver on his promises at the start of his tenure – the young players were getting a chance. Stefan Thesker celebrated his first Bundesliga start and Patrick Schorr made his first professional appearance, coming on with 24 minutes to go and helping to see out the 2-1 win.

Stay tuned for the second half of our look back – from Bremen to Kaiserslautern.