FIRST TEAM
05/16/2013

Markus Gisdol: “Everything has to come together in Dortmund”

It's TSG's last chance in the battle for survival. The 34th and final Bundesliga matchday sees Markus Gisdol's side travel to Dortmund. The TSG manager isn't expecting BVB to go easy on his side on Saturday (May 18th, 15.30 CET) – exactly one week before the Champions League final between Dortmund and Bayern München.

“I think Dortmund will play their best available team and every player will be trying to show that they should be starting in the Champions League final,” said Gisdol.

The Kraichgau side will be accompanied by 3,600 travelling fans in the Signal Iduna Park looking to give TSG the support they need. Ticket requests went through the roof, but there will be a live showing of the game in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena for those Hoffenheim fans who couldn't get hold of any.

Even if the mood in the camp ahead of the difficult away match is “relatively good,” as Jannik Vestergaard said in the press conference, the team are still very aware of the pressure surrounding the fixture. David Abraham is expected to be able to play on Saturday alongside Vestergaard. The Argentine was only able to complete light training following a concussion he suffered during the HSV match, but will rejoin team training on Thursday.

Tobias Weis however is set to miss out with his stomach problems having worsened. However, Gisdol will be given more options with Eugen Polanski returning from suspension and Daniel Williams back after an ankle injury.

"We won't be throwing everything forward"

The manager is well aware of the difficult task in Dortmund: “We won't get many opportunities so we have to make sure we're focused when one does come our way.” Even though TSG need a win to have a chance of staying up, “we won't be throwing everything forward. We have to make the most of our strengths, be progressive and wait patiently for our chance on the counter,” said Gisdol. “You can only survive in Dortmund when everything comes together on the day.”

“BVB are known for their extremely quick combination play, but the biggest danger is when we're in possession,” said the TSG manager. “Dortmund push very high up the pitch and put you under immense pressure. We can't play any rash passes along the back line otherwise things become treacherous.” Vestergaard is also aware of the opponents' qualities. “Obviously I have a lot of respect for their players but the excitement of the game outweighs that. It's every player's dream to compete with some of the best players in the world – in front of 80,000 fans as well!” The incentive to give everything to stay in the division couldn't be any bigger.

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