"We've been working hard for the big game"

Julian Nagelsmann on…

…the opponent.

FC Bayern are the best team in Germany, the whole of our team knows that. They are probably one of the best three teams in Europe. It will be a difficult task but we will have to focus as much as possible and defend well. FC Bayern München are extremely good in defence so we will have to make the most of our chances. But even when we do break through their defence, we still have to get past Manuel Neuer.

…the players.

All of the players who started last week are available for selection on Saturday. Mark Uth and Pirmin Schwegler are still out injured.

…the sporting situation.

We have been playing well recently and we have been showing exactly what we can do. I hope we can do this again on Saturday. If we manage to play well and Bayern aren’t at their best, then I think we can definitely take something from the match. We intend to catch FC Bayern München off guard. We have to be bold and not hold back. If you hold back, you will inevitably lose in München. We have managed to get ourselves up to third place in the league. We should be proud of this achievement and we have to enjoy it. This match isn’t any different to any other; we could lose, get the draw or win three points. However, this fixture is more exciting than usual because we’re so high up in the league and that’s really nice. Playing with three at the back has really helped us to do well so far this season. It doesn’t only help the three defenders, but also the other seven outfield players. We have more possession upfront and we are making the most of our chances. Keeping more possession gives the players more confidence and they are less worried about making mistakes.

Former meetings:

TSG Hoffenheim don’t have the best record against FC Bayern München. The two teams have played each other 16 times in the last 8 years, but TSG have never won. They have earned a draw four times, but FC Bayern München have come out on top 12 times. TSG Hoffenheim got a point away at FC Bayern München in March 2014 when Anthony Modeste, Sejad Salihovic and Roberto Firmino scored in the 3-3 draw.

The form of the opposition:

FC Bayern München have won 11 of their 14 competitive fixtures this season, drawing two and losing just once in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid. FC Bayern München have definitely played better football before than they have over the last few weeks but they are still the best team in Germany. It will be a mammoth task for TSG Hoffenheim in the Allianz Arena no matter what.

Key battles:

Playing against FC Bayern München in the Allianz Arena will be the most demanding match of the season. The team will have to be mentally prepared.

Match facts and statistics »