The added spice of a derby

Every once in a while these emotions peak – when the game is of particular importance or when there's a rivalry between two sides battling it out for three points on the pitch. Such rivalries are born from proximity. How else can we describe these games? Derbies.

The term itself comes from legend, but it's exact origin remains unexplained. Sporting historians will one day explain it. A theory? It could have come from the English town that bears the same name. For hundreds of years, Shrovetide games have been played in the town. Hundreds of participants from both areas (of the town) try to score a goal with a ball filled with cork (to help it float). The game lasts two days, and is played for eight hours on both days.

Secure home win

For Andreas Beck, Roberto Firmino & Co. 90 minutes of football are on the schedule on Saturday, February 15th. It's the Baden-Wuerttemberg derby and VfB Stuttgart are their opponents. As the crow flies, there are only 57km between Sinsheim and Stuttgart. And although Schalke and Dortmund, as well as Wolfsburg and Braunschweig, are closer, this game is still a derby. Whoever happens to see the newspapers in Baden-Wuerttemberg over the next few days will see more than enough evidence to support that. Even the state governor Winfried Kretschmann will be there.

This is also a special game for the fans, something that is felt in both sets of supporters. A win against your rivals is important for any supporter's soul. The record is not in Hoffenheim's favour having won only one of the last five home games against Stuttgart.

It's a big game for Gisdol's men. The three points would make TSG's position in the table look a little healthier. Sejad Salihovic spoke of “a very important game.” Stuttgart are in a tight spot having lost five in a row, and desperately need a win to keep themselves away from the looming relegation places. The ingredients for a spectacular game, one that Hoffenheim want to win, are there. In the winter of 2014, there's certainly enough spice to this hot derby dish.

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