Ilzer: "It's our job to get the spark to ignite"

Christian Ilzer on…

… the importance of the game:

"Union Berlin are within touching distance for us, so the game is very important for us. In February and March, we have a lot of head-to-head matches. These are the games we have to win. We have prepared for this game very well."

… the end of the battle on multiple fronts:

"The goal must be to be in all competitions for as long as possible, So I'm not happy about it. We bowed out of the Europa League with our honour intact, but I would have liked to have been in it for longer, although it is a good thing in our current situation that we have a whole week to prepare for the matches."

… the transfer window:

"In general, it is not a pleasant period for a coach, because there are always changes and they can come at any time. But Andi Schicker and his team did a really good job and implemented a lot of things that we wanted to do. In the end, I look at the transfer window very positively and am happy with the players who have joined us. We can now do everything we want to do. We need to make progress in terms of what we have here, and grow as a team."

… Leo Østigård:

"All new signings are candidates for the squad. We will decide whether they are ready for the starting eleven. Leo has leadership skills, including as a commanding voice in the back line. He is a player who takes the lead. He has made a very good impression."

… Bazoumana Touré:

"We lost Jacob Bruun Larsen in his position and signed a player in Bazoumana Touré who is really highly talented. He can play on either wing, as a number eight or behind the striker. He is a highly talented player who will bring us a lot of joy."

… Union Berlin:

"With Steffen Baumgart, you know that you're going to get energetic opposition. You can make a good guess of what style of play you can expect. There are chances to catch an opponent. It is important to be confident and to have a good sense of togetherness on the pitch. We need to play our best possible game on the pitch."

... the role of the fans:

"It's our job to get the spark to ignite. If we play well and play the way we did against Frankfurt, then we will have top support. The fans were always behind us even in the difficult games, which gives the team strength. It is mainly down to us. We have to play good football, then we will get them jumping even more. The fans can give us an extra point in the relegation battle."

The personnel situation:

There are still many players missing, and the situation remains tense. Max Moerstedt has recovered from his infection, and Andrej Kramarić and Pavel Kadeřábek have also returned to training. The final training session on Friday will give us an indication of is fit for the match. Umut Tohumcu is not yet an option, and Anton Stach is probably not yet available due to his heel injury.

The opposition's form:

Union Berlin are struggling to score. Baumgart's team have scored the fewest goals in the league and have won only one of five games in the new year. Three defeats against fellow strugglers Heidenheim (0-2), Augsburg (0-2) and St. Pauli (0-3) have dragged Berlin into the relegation dogfight. Last week, however, Steffen Baumgart's team did manage a 0-0 draw against RB Leipzig.

Head-to-head record:

The head-to-head record is narrowly in favour of Union, having won five of eleven matches, while TSG have four wins to their name. But Union have won the last two meetings between the sides.

Match facts and statistics »