Hoeness: "We want to frustrate FC Bayern"

Sebastian Hoeness on…

…the personnel situation:

"Ryan Sessegnon is still suffering from muscular problems and so is not in contention for the weekend. There are question marks over the involvement of Kevin Vogt, Florian Grillitsch and Robert Skov, but they've all managed to train. In their case, we'll need to see whether they can play. I don't yet know to what extent Pavel Kadeřábek is an option for the starting line-up. Also because Mijat Gaćinović has done an amazing job in that position. Benjamin Hübner and Kevin Akpoguma are still injured and will definitely miss out. Konstantinos Stafylidis returned to the training pitch for the first time this week, although he is not yet an option for this game. The same applies for Dennis Geiger, but he will be back with the team in the medium term."

…the victory over FC Bayern in the reverse fixture:

"The FC Bayern players are also aware of the result from the reverse fixture. I cannot claim to know what they make of it. I only know that we want to frustrate FC Bayern. We're going to try to produce another very ambitious and bold performance in Munich. We want to be very courageous. Then we'll see if we get chances. We obviously know it's always difficult to get points against Bayern. You only need to look at the table to see that."

…the opposition's recent performances:

"Bayern are back at the top of the table and have a significant lead of seven points – even though they have not been performing as dominantly as they were before. We've obviously taken a look at FCB's most recent matches and come to the conclusion that there are always chances for the opponent to turn the game. We'll try to focus on provoking these situations. In addition, you do need to show resilience when you go to Munich if you are to overcome certain phases of the game. That'll be the case again this time."

…TSG's form:

"I think that we've taken several steps in the right direction in our recent games. The points obviously do us good. It's a matter of stabilising our situation. Wins are particularly helpful in this regard. I've seen lots of aspects that have been really good. I've also seen many things we still want to optimise. But overall, we're on a positive path."

The opposition's form:

FC Bayern Munich are almost out of sight at the top of the table. Coach Hansi Flick's side have a seven-point lead after 18 rounds of matches and are closing in on another championship title. The Bavarians won all three of their matches in the English week.

Head-to-head record:

TSG have won four of the last eight meetings between the sides in the Bundesliga and have been a bogey team for the men from Munich since 2017. Hoffenheim will have fond memories of their last trip to Munich in the league in October 2019: they secured their first-ever Bundesliga victory in the Bavarian capital that day, winning 2-1 thanks to a brace from Sargis Adamyan.

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