Hoeness: "Now it's about ensuring we get our reward"

Sebastian Hoeness on…

…the opposition: "Berlin haven't been in good form recently but have very good individual players. If they hit their stride, it'll be really dangerous. They have their backs to the wall and have switched coaches. They have created chances for themselves in many games and could have picked up more points. We've therefore been warned and will not underestimate the opponent."

…his opposite number Felix Magath: "I was surprised and wasn't expecting it. Regardless of who the new coach in Berlin is, we need to focus on ourselves. We don't know how he'll set the team up. His last Bundesliga game came 10 years ago. His teams play a very physical and intense style. We're expecting them to play slightly deeper and switch the play at speed."

…TSG's form: "We want to do the things that have made us strong recently on Saturday. But we also know that we need to improve on some things. A win before the international break would put us in a really good position ahead of the run-in and we have a very good mentality in the squad."

…the goals for the season: "It's about paving the way for lasting success. We're absolutely moving in the right direction. A great number of key players have extended their contracts with us. Now it's about ensuring we get our reward. We shall not let ourselves get carried away by any success stories. We have to stay focused and then see in a few weeks what is possible."

…the personnel situation: "Benjamin Hübner and Håvard Nordtveit were back on the pitch this week. I'm optimistic that they may be involved. Ermin Bičakčić was also back on the pitch with the team for the first time. That was an emotional moment for him and the team. But just like Robert Skov, Fisnik Asllani, Sebastian Rudy and Chris Richards, he's not an option for the weekend. Diadie Samassékou is also missing through suspension."

The opposition's form

The men from Berlin are still waiting for their first win in the second half of the season (two draws and seven losses). Following the latest 2-0 defeat away to Borussia Mönchengladbach, coach Tayfun Korkut was sacked and replaced by Felix Magath. The 68-year-old has been brought in to help the capital club fend off the spectre of relegation.

Head-to-head record

TSG have lost only one of the previous 12 meetings – a 3-0 defeat in May 2020. During that time, Hoffenheim have claimed eight wins and three draws. TSG won the reverse fixture 2-0 thanks to goals from Andrej Kramarić und Sebastian Rudy.

Match facts and statistics »