FIRST TEAM
02/18/2010

Every reason to be confident

This Friday evening (19.02.2010) sees 1899 Hoffenheim entertain Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

A sold-out crowd will be right behind the 1899ers as they look to extend their positive record against the visitors. "It's good for the players to know that they have the support of the fans," said sporting director Jan Schindelmeiser. Friday night's guests currently lie 11th in the table, level on 28 points with Hoffenheim. "They're counter-attacking game is excellent," said coach Ralf Rangnick. "We need to control the game on home turf and make sure we don't let them hit us on the counter."

Ibertsberger out

1899 will again be without a number of first-team regulars as Sejad Salihovic and Luiz Gustavo join Andreas Beck and Chinedu Obasi on the treatment table. Franco Zuculini (shin) and Andreas Ibertsberger (thigh) are also ruled out, while Vedad Ibisevic is carrying a slight knock but should be able to play.

Gladbach winless in Sinsheim

As well as their two Bundesliga meetings last term, Hoffenheim and Gladbach also went head to head the previous season in the 2. Bundesliga. Borussia have never managed to beat 1899, losing again in the reverse fixture earlier this campaign. Goals from Salihovic, Maicosuel, Obasi and Demba Ba secured a 4-2 victory for the men in blue at the Borussia-Park, and that in spite of a 2-0 deficit within the first quarter of an hour. "We want to continue that good run on Friday," added Rangnick.

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