Markus Gisdol: “There are no easy games”

But if you take a look up and down the table, one thing quickly becomes clear – the Bundesliga is of a very high standard. Six points separate Gladbach in fourth from Augsburg in 13th. TSG manager Markus Gisdol talked about the league's competitiveness in his press conference ahead of the meeting with Hertha BSC on Saturday, November 9th at 15:30 CET: “There are no easy games in the Bundesliga. Bayern and Dortmund are marching clear, then there are two or three teams in the next group and after that it's a really close battle.”

That's something that certainly applies for TSG's next match. Hertha have collected 15 points so far and are seventh in the table, despite having only just been promoted back to the top flight this season. “Hertha have been superb for a promoted side. They are a team that everyone respects,” explained Gisdol. Sejad Salihovic, who took up the hot seat at the press conference after the manager, added: “Berlin are a good side that play nice, attacking football, very similar to ours.”

“Outline our strengths even more”

This match is always a special one for the former Hertha player, who has now been playing his football at TSG for over seven years. “I can't take that into consideration when I'm on the pitch. We're at home. We want three points.” His manager is a little more diplomatic. “We don't have to win,” he explained, summing up with: “Of course a home win would be nice, but we have to do our job on the pitch. If we do that, then we have a chance against anybody.”

TSG have picked up confidence over the past weeks that could help them to a good performance – solid displays against top clubs Leverkusen and Bayern weren't rewarded, but there was a big victory in Hannover. Gisdol wants to take the performance from the Bayern match into this one: “We can be very disciplined tactically. It will be a very different task against Berlin though. We want to outline our strengths even more.”

Salihovic to stay at left back

Salihovic has been doing more defensive tasks than usual lately – he featured at left back against both Bayern and Hannover. “I don't feel that it's necessary to change anything in that position at the moment,” said Gisdol. “Sejad is showing strengths there that perhaps haven't been seen from him in Hoffenheim colours before.” The 29-year-old vice captain has played at left back in Bosnia-Herzegovina's national team for years. “I know the position and I enjoy it. If I can help there, then I will do it.”

Fabian Johnson isn't expected to make a return just yet. The 25-year old rejoined team training on Thursday after a four-week injury break (ankle). Sebastian Rudy's inclusion is a doubt – the midfielder has been suffering with back problems this week. Koen Casteels, who only completed a reduced training schedule on Wednesday due to muscle problems, will definitely be in goal for TSG on Saturday afternoon.

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