Ilzer: "A match in which we can demonstrate a lot"

Christian Ilzer on…

…his third meeting with BVB this season: "A lot has changed, both for us and for Borussia Dortmund. The teams have changed structurally and Dortmund have a different coach too. It's a big challenge for us, but it's also a match in which we can demonstrate a lot. We're looking forward to the home game tomorrow."

…Borussia Dortmund: "They are in good form, are comfortable in their system and are performing well. That's why we're expecting to face a very strong opponent with big objectives in their sights. We have to focus on ourselves and, with a good performance, we are capable of getting something against any opponent. We have to make it difficult for them. The minimum goal of staying in the league has not yet been achieved, we still need points for that. We want to improve with good performances; we want to bring our good approaches onto the pitch even more consistently."

…Niko Kovac: "There were also some very good approaches in Dortmund's play under Nuri Sahin. They had a lot of injuries in the late autumn, but under Niko they have now stabilised and found a set-up in which the team is delivering results."

…the personnel situation: "Valentin Gendrey had surgery on his collarbone today. Tom Bischof is suspended. Christopher Lenz and Diadie Samassékou have partially completed team training. The situation is improving from week to week. Adam Hložek is getting closer and closer to the starting line-up. Leo Østigård will return following his suspension. He is an absolutely key player in our defence and will return to the starting line-up."

…the sold-out stadium: "When you play in a full stadium, it is always an additional booster. Energy is required in order to play against such a top team. If that spark then transfers to the stands, it can provide an additional boost."

…survival in the division: "That's our minimum objective. Dietmar Hopp celebrates his 85th birthday tomorrow; if we could gift him that, it would be wonderful. We would like to give him something back."

…the possible promotion of the U23s: "That's a major objective for the club; the boys are very comfortably on track. It's possible that they'll achieve it ahead of time on Saturday. I've watched a few games and they've been really commanding. The boys are putting in great performances. Some of them have already shown their talent with us. It's also good for the club as a whole as they'll be playing at a higher level week-in, week-out. I wish the boys all the best and hope they accomplish their mission tomorrow."

The opposition's form:

Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in four rounds of Bundesliga matches and have closed the gap to the international places in the process. Thanks to their 3-2 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend, BVB currently occupy seventh position in the table.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD:

Historically speaking, TSG's clashes with BVB have often been spectacles. Some of their most important Bundesliga wins have come against Dortmund. But BVB have the better overall head-to-head record: Dortmund have won 14 of their 33 top-flight meetings, while Hoffenheim have been victorious eight times.

Match facts and statistics »