Hoeness: "We want to hit back"

Sebastian Hoeness on …

… the opposition: "Freiburg have a lot to play for. They needs the points to get into Europe. They will be really focused and will give it their all on the pitch. They are especially good when they can make it their kind of game. Freiburg are extremely dangerous from second balls and in set piece situations."

… the table: "For me, it's not a final because it won't all be over after the match. There are still three games to be played. Still, we know we need to get some points on Saturday. It's a very important game for us. We want to hit back. A win should get us back on track."

… a possible run at the end of the season: "We have proven in the past that we can win in situations where not many people believe in us. We also trained well this week and even in Frankfurt there were times when we showed we could play well. But there is nowhere to hide on the pitch. We need to turn the positive signs into results."

… previous meetings with Freiburg this season: "We won in Freiburg in December, but unfortunately we lost at home in the DFB-Pokal. However, that was different, and nothing went in our favour that day. On Saturday, it will be a different game."

… the personnel situation: "Ermin Bičakčić, Benjamin Hübner, Chris Richards, Håvard Nordtveit, Marco John and Florian Grillitsch are injured, and Stefan Posch is suspended. Dennis Geiger is also a major doubt. Fisnik Asllani will be on reduced minutes as we look to manage his return from injury."

… the injury problems in the back line: "We still have good defenders who can play on Saturday. We aren't calling up any U23s to fill out the squad. If there are no more injuries, the guys we have will be able to cope."

The opposition's form:

Freiburg have lost only one of their past ten Bundesliga matches (five wins and four draws) and currently lie fifth in the table. In addition, coach Christian Streich's team are in the final of the DFB-Pokal. With a victory on Saturday, Freiburg could take a huge step toward qualifying for the Europa League.

Head-to-head record:

The two sides will meet for the 24th time in the Bundesliga. SC Freiburg are just ahead in the head-to-read record, with seven wins, ten draws and six defeats. Although TSG won the reverse fixture earlier this season (2-1), they were beaten by Freiburg in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal (1-4).

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