Markus Gisdol: “We won't capitulate before kick-off”

Manager Markus Gisdol singled out one of the opponents' players in particular during his pre-match press conference on Friday - but the TSG boss wasn't talking about Europe's Footballer of the Year 2013 Franck Ribéry, or even the Bundesliga's top goalscorer Mario Mandzukic; he issued a warning about Thomas Müller.

“Müller is very eager to score goals and makes a lot runs that are tricky to deal with. He's really hard to get a hold of. He's a player that can drive you nuts,” Gisdol told the press. For him, Müller is “Bayern's best player”. All in all, the side that have won the title in record time and sit an astonishing 25 points clear at the top have an unbelievable amount of quality in their ranks. “They are perhaps the best team that club football has ever seen,” added the TSG boss.

Courage from the match earlier this season

Even though Bayern will be playing their first home match since wrapping up the Bundesliga title, no one expects them to ease off. “The problem with the Bayern game is that they will make practically zero mistakes. They simply don't give you the ball,” said Gisdol.

How will TSG react to that? “As always, we want to take the maximum from the game,” stressed Gisdol. “A lot of clubs are grateful when they only suffer a narrow defeat against Bayern.” The Hoffenheim manager then alluded to the meeting earlier this season, one TSG took the lead in but ended up losing 2-1. “The team will have to be courageous this time too and try everything,” said the gaffer.

No Abraham or Schipplock

The personnel situation at TSG is looking okay. Goalkeeper Koen Casteels has rejoined team training – although only for one session. As a result, Jens Grahl will see out the week's busy schedule in goal. Niklas Süle is available again. The 18-year-old coped well with a short appearance in the 3-1 win against Hannover on Wednesday. The match comes around too soon for David Abraham and Sven Schipplock though.

Perhaps TSG can achieve “something indescribable and extraordinary,” said Gisdol - a win against Bayern Munich, who are now unbeaten in 52 straight Bundesliga games. Possibly the most difficult task at the moment in club football lies ahead for Hoffenheim. “We won't capitulate before kick-off,” said Gisdol. “We'll play our own game and see where it takes us.”

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