Inside TSG Hoffenheim – trailer for the TSG documentary
The documentary examines a week in the life of TSG Hoffenheim's first-team as they prepare to face VfL Bochum (a game they won 3-1). Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo allowed the cameras to observe his every move at work: he was mic'd up on the training pitch, during the video analysis session with the entire team and individually with Germany international Anton Stach. The camera was on for all his dressing room speeches, before, during and after the match. Captain Oliver Baumann was accompanied during physiotherapy and midfielder Grischa Prömel was filmed practising yoga. World Cup finalist Andrej Kramarić also provides insights into his relationship with the club's fans.
The documentary focuses on places where the camera normally never goes and captures discussions in the technical area or the dressing room that usually remain secret. "Mic'd up - Bundesliga access all areas" is an observational, insightful film that lets the key figures at TSG have their say as they go about their work. The film is authentic - nothing is staged, everything that goes on at a Bundesliga club is captured in real time.
Pellegrino Matarazzo says of the documentary: "We've already talked a lot internally in the coaching team about whether and how we should approach this. In the end, I'm very happy with the result. The cameras were really close to me and all of us, but I got used to it as we went along. I think it's a great opportunity for the fans to gain insights that they haven't seen before."
Alexander Rosen adds: "Fans and the media have never seen TSG and the players so up-close and open. We all know that fans' media usage and viewing formats have changed and will continue to change. We don't want to close ourselves off to this, but rather open up further and provide exciting insights. From our point of view, this is the right way to do things."
The entire documentary will be available from 24 January (Wednesday) on the TSG website and the TSG YouTube channel.