Aiming for three points against Magath's "Royal Blues"

The game against Leverkusen has been shelved, Hoffenheim defender Josip Simunic looks ahead: "We delivered a poor performance against Leverkusen. We analysed the game well and want to do better against Schalke. Words don't count in football, only three points do." Felix Magath got off to a splendid start at Schalke 04. So far, all three matches of the season were victories and the team is already showing the handwriting of Magath on the pitch. Despite the fact that Hoffenheim and Schalke are separated by twelve other teams in the table at the moment, Magath does not see his team as the favourites for this game: "Hoffenheim remains to be a team that can finish the season in the top five of the league. Therefore, we wont let the fact they had a scrappy start to the season blind us," re-emphasised the 56-year-old.

Ralf Ragnick expects a boost of performance against Schalke in comparison with the poor display his team showed in the BayArena against Leverkusen: "We have to tie on to the performance we revealed against Bayern München, go at a high pace and show Schalke that we are playing on our home-pitch," demanded Ragnick. Unfortunately, the head coach will have to do without the likes of Luiz Gustavo (bruised foot) and Matthias Jaissle (in rehab after knee injury). Tobias Weis has meanwhile overcome his knee problems and is an option for the starting line-up. The same goes for Senegalese striker Demba Ba, who already staged his comeback in Leverkusen. The table toppers Schalke are still missing Jermaine Jones, Christian Pander and Vicente Sanchez.

The home match against the "Royal Blues" should re-call positive memories for the supporters of 1899 Hoffenheim. Last season, Hoffenheim won the "Autumn Championship" with a 1-1 draw during the final match in the first half of the season. The return leg in the Veltins-Arena was again a successful one, as Hoffenheim managed to clinch three points at Schalke with a 3-2 victory.