Markus Gisdol: “We need to act intelligently as a group”

“We have to work as a team – all 11 players. No one can veer off course,” warned Gisdol, who knows his defence will have to be solid against the technically-gifted side from Lower Saxony. The TSG manager also knows that his side will have to continue the decent attacking play they have demonstrated this season. “Our task in the coming weeks is to find the right balance between defence and attack,” said Gisdol.

Previous meetings between Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg have often offered attacking football – there has been an average of 3.9 goals per game in past Bundesliga encounters. “I wouldn't mind if there were only three goals this time, as long as we score one more than they do,” said Gisdol with a chuckle.

“Normal bumps and bruises”

Sejad Salihovic will be unavailable in Wolfsburg – the Bosnian will serve the final game of his suspension. There is still doubt surrounding Roberto Firmino's fitness following the ankle injury that kept him out against Gladbach. Gisdol is more confident about the inclusion of both Sebastian Rudy and Anthony Modeste, who were substituted off last week with slight knocks. “They were normal bumps and bruises following an intensive game,” said the manager. His team ran a total of 128 kilometres against the ‘Foals – an amount that can't be reached every week, but it shows just how much effort the entire team puts in on the pitch.

Gisdol's special wish for Saturday? A goal from a substitute. “It's Sven Schipplock's turn again,” he explained. “Sven has been working hard in training and I hope that he will get his reward by scoring in the game.” Maybe the super-sub will grab the winner for TSG. That would no doubt please the manager on all accounts.

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