Final step to a “very, very good season”

Markus Gisdol wants to fully focus on his own side's performance and blank out the opponents' situation, as the TSG manager explained at his pre-match press conference on Thursday. “We know this situation very well from last year. We were in the same position as Braunschweig are now. We want to end our season well and keep the focus on us,” said Gisdol.

The feisty meeting earlier this season is something Gisdol also feels won't play a role. It's done and dusted. He's far more interested in once again putting his side's strengths in the spotlight. “We've had a good season so far. If we can round it off with a win, it would be a very, very good season. We would then have 44 points, the second-best tally in the club's history,” said Gisdol, before adding: “We want to make our mark yet again.”

“They're fighting like beavers”

Gisdol praised the upcoming opponents – particularly for their strong second half of the season: “Braunschweig are fighting like beavers. It's very impressive. They play a lot long balls and just throw themselves at it. They're very strong physically and will put up a good fight. We let them impose their game on us in the meeting earlier this season. That cannot happen again.”

There haven't been any changes in terms of personnel since last week. Anthony Modeste is still suspended and so will be missing, as will the long-term injured Koen Casteels and Sven Schipplock. Every other player in Markus Gisdol's squad is fit.

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