TSG set for difficult Bayern task - "We are very, very ambitious"

Markus Gisdol on…

…the opponents:

We won't judge Bayern on the game against Porto. That would be a mistake. It seems like forever since they lost back-to-back games and they will do anything they can to ensure they can feel good again after their game against us, in order to take that into the Champions League match on Tuesday. Bayern are a world-class team, even if they have six or seven players missing. They are still the best team in the league, but they are certainly feeling the absence of Robben and Ribéry. Even Bayern struggle to fully cope with losing such individual talent.

…personnel:

David Abraham and Pirmin Schwegler returned to training on Thursday. Our overall situation has improved a lot. As things stand, I'm expecting to have my whole squad available.

...the current situation:

It really frustrates us that we again weren't able to take a step forward after the match against Köln. But we want to do it and we will give everything until the last game. It's a big hurdle that we will overcome with a lot of detailed work.

We are very, very ambitious. We went close in Dortmund, as well as in Cologne, but we still didn't quite make it. We need to put the past behind us and move forward. There are just six games to play over the next five weeks – there is no time to get upset or concern ourselves with what could have been. The team are showing me in training exactly what they are capable of. What is clear though is that we've been lacking good results recently.

Head-to-head record:

Hoffenheim have met FC Bayern 13 times, without recording a single win. TSG have claimed just one point from their last four games against the record champions – the 3-3 draw in Munich on matchday 28 of the 2013/14 season. However, our six home games against Munich so far have seen us earn three draws.

The opponents' form:

FCB have suffered two defeats in their past five competitive matches. In between the two defeats to Gladbach and Porto, Pep Guardiola's side were convincing winners against Frankfurt, but only edged past Dortmund, as well as Leverkusen on penalties. Bayern are in a position that most teams around the world would be envious of: League leaders in the Bundesliga, semi-finalists of the DFB Cup and in with a chance of making the last four of the Champions League. It could be worse...

Key battles:

Alaba, Robben, Benatia and Martinez are missing for Bayern, while Lahm and Thiago have only returned recently after long spells out. It remains to be seen as to whether Ribéry and Schweinsteiger are fit to return or not. Who will line up for FCB? Who knows. With so many injuries, Guardiola has had to demand less from his team, even settling for less possession. His side are increasingly relying on the basic virtues of fighting spirit and unity to get them through games. However, it will be up to TSG to put up a fight, win their challenges and be full of running in order to have a chance against what is still a classy Bayern side. You can only beat the record champions by standing up to them.

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