Ahead of #SGETSG: "We will do everything to win"

Julian Nagelsmann on…

…the opposition:

Niko Kovac and his team are doing a fantastic job. There’s something special about how they are performing at the moment. They were a lot of new arrivals in Frankfurt over the course of the summer, with all of them speaking different languages. It really isn’t easy to prepare a squad in such a short amount of time. Eintracht like to play with the ball and have  a lot of confident players willing to try something different. They are particularly strong on both wings. They are also strong at the back and press very well. Nevertheless, we will have a few ideas ready to keep them quiet. I won’t be revealing how we can beat Eintracht, however.

…the squad:

We will still be without Kerem Demirbay, who still has a muscle problem with his adductor. A few of our players have picked up niggles in training this week. Our doctors and physios will have to do a good job ahead of Friday.

…the sporting situation  1:

We are looking forward to a great game. It is another top table clash and we have worked hard to compete in these. On top of that, we are playing under lights and there will no doubt be a great atmosphere in the stadium. It’s going to be a fantastic game. We will do all we can to pick up the three points.

…the sporting situation 2:

For me, it is amazing that we are still unbeaten after thirteen games. I was not expecting to be able to say that. The fact that we are playing good football is less surprising, however. That was my clear aim before the season. My team, myself and the coaching staff have worked very hard to achieve that. However, there are still periods in some of the games and in the season in general which we are not so happy with.

…the sporting situation 3:

…I delighted with Dietmar Hopp’s praise, but I am also always a bit embarrassed. I have made a small contribution to the current success, but the majority of that success has come from the team. It doesn’t matter if I have an idea, but the boys can’t carry out it. They have to implement what we speak to them about.

Head-to-head records:

TSG have the better record when it comes to head-to-head clashes between the two sides. Hoffenheim have won seven, drawn four and lost just three times. Julian Nagelsmann’s side also won their last encounter against Eintracht, winning 2-0 on matchday 29 of last year’s Bundesliga season in the Commerzbank-Arena. Nadiem Amiri (one minute after coming on) and Mark Uth were on the scoresheet for TSG. That particular game is the only home defeat that Frankfurt have suffered under Niko Kovac.

Opposition form:

Eintracht head into the game in great form. The Frankfurt based side currently occupy fifth place in the Bundesliga table, behind TSG only on goal difference. Niko Kovac’s side are unbeaten in seven games. They have lost just twice in the league so far this season, against Darmstadt (1-0) and Freiburg (1-0). Eintracht have not dropped below ninth place in the table. It is also worth considering that Kovac and his team have achieved this despite, the high turnover of players in the summer. Eleven players left the club during the transfer window, with 13 coming in.

Key game:

TSG like to play with the ball on the floor. Long balls are very rarely employed by Nagelsmann’s side. Against Eintracht, however, the lesser used strategy could come into play. The first team have 48.4% of their aerial duels so far this season, with Eintracht behind on 45%. In addition, no team in the league   finds a team mate with balls into the box as often as Hoffenheim. This was particularly noticeable against Köln, where Sandro Wagner scored after Benjamin Hübners hit the bar with his day. Wagner then headed the ball in himself to make it 3-0. 

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