DFB Pokal: Hoffenheim travel to Germania Windeck

TSV Germania Windeck have hosted many a Bundesliga side over the past few years, most notably FC Bayern München and FC Schalke 04. However, Windeck are yet to pull off an upset in Germany's cup competition. To make sure this remains the case, Stanislawski's side have been intensively preparing for their lower league opposition. “We've analysed and observed every detail of Windeck and are travelling to Köln well prepared”, stated “Stani”.

Six sidelined

Unfortunately for Holger Stanislawski he won't have a full squad to choose from in the first match of his reign in Kraichgau. Matthias Jaissle, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Andreas Ibertsberger, Boris Vukcevic and Manuel Gulde are all out of contention against Windeck and are likely to all be missing in the Bundesliga season opener against Hannover 96. On top of that star striker Vedad Ibisevic has recently joined the injury list too and after sustaining an injury in training will be out for a couple of weeks. Stanislawski will have a hard time compensating for the missing personnel, but is hoping that in the future he'll have “a full, high-calibre, squad at my disposal”. However, it looks as if “Stani” may already have found a replacement for the Bosnian centre forward in the form of new signing Sven Schipplock who looks set to make his first ever appearance in the DFB Pokal. “I was on the bench on two occasions during my time with VfB Stuttgart. Hopefully I'll get a chance to play this time”, joked Schipplock for whom Stanislawski is already finding a place in the starting line-up stating, “he's got a great chance of being involved.”

Captaincy questions answered

Who will be the wearer of the captains armband next season? This question has been the subject of much discussion amongst the Hoffenheim faithful, but Stanislawski was unwilling to show his hand at the pre-match press conference. “We're still in discussions as it stands, but the decision will be made before Sunday”, explained the former St.Pauli manager. The team union will also be set in stone in the near future. Alongside the future captain, the team union will consist of treasurer Tobias Weis and a maximum of three other players, who are elected by the first team squad.