Ilzer: "We are looking ahead"

Head coach Christian Ilzer spoke ahead of TSG Hoffenheim's Bundesliga match away to SV Werder Bremen (Sunday, 15:30 CET/liveticker on tsg-hoffenheim.de). Ilzer discussed lessons learnt from the Union game, his first three months as TSG coach and the week of training.

Christian Ilzer on...

...the lessons learnt from the defeat against Union Berlin: ‘It was a disastrous game. The team got together afterwards, we talked to each other. We can't allow ourselves to become weaker and we have to pull together. Some things remain internal, otherwise they cause a fuss. The defeat was a major setback that nobody expected in this form, because we had actually been on an upward trajectory beforehand. Our performances were too inconsistent. We worked with the team to analyse the causes. But we are now looking ahead."

...the week of training: "It was important to me that we worked through the game against Union Berlin internally. It's been a very intensive training week that is still ongoing. We've made tactical adjustments and the details should energise us as a group. We want to awaken the winner in us."

...his first three months as TSG coach: "Of course, you have different ideas and hope for the best-case scenario. But you also have to find solutions when things aren't going so well. We have a lot of injured players, which reflects our situation. I've only been here for three months, but with all our absentees it feels like it's been ten years. Nevertheless, it would be the worst thing to take refuge in a victim role. I came when everything wasn't good. Nevertheless, I'm disappointed that I haven't managed to improve things so far. We want to do the best possible job together to get out of the doldrums."

...the injury to Adam Hložek: "We don't have to change anything in terms of the game plan, but perhaps in the basic structure. Adam has been very important for us in recent weeks. We want to develop defensive stability and a good balance in the transition game in attack. We have to find the right personnel for that. Adam is an important player, but we will try to replace him."

...the opponents: "Bremen generate a lot of energy at home. They've had a lot of good spells, but recently it's been a bit more difficult. But now important players are fit again or no longer suspended. Bremen play very straightforward football and can be dangerous both in the centre and on the wings. We need a lot of activity on our end. We must not lose faith in ourselves, even if we're going through a tough patch."

...the personnel situation: "We have one more day of training. Marius Bülter has called in sick today. Adam Hložek is known to be out for a few weeks. In addition, the list of long-term injuries has not changed. Nevertheless, we have enough players with enough quality."

The opposition's form:

Coach Ole Werner's team are in tenth place with 30 points. After a strong final spurt last year, Werder Bremen have only won one game this year (with three defeats and two draws).

Head-to-head record:

This is the 32nd time the two clubs have met in the Bundesliga. The record favours Bremen with 12 wins, ten draws and nine defeats. However, TSG last suffered a Bundesliga defeat in Bremen in April 2014 (3-1).