FIRST TEAM
03/02/2017

#TSGFCI PREVIEW - "IT’S ABOUT THE MATCH, NOT ABOUT THE TABLE"

Matchday 23 of the Bundesliga is fast approaching. TSG welcome FC Ingolstadt to the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena. Hoffenheim have never lost in their three previous Bundesliga tussles with Ingolstadt. Julian Nagelsmann looks ahead to the fourth meeting between the sides.

JULIAN NAGELSMANN ON...


... the opponent:

Ingolstadt have a similar approach to Darmstadt, who we played two weeks ago. They play lots of long balls to bypass the midfield and lots of players chase the second ball. Therefore, they press in large numbers. That’s difficult to play against. They’ve clearly developed in the last few weeks under Maik Walpurgis. I don’t know him personally, but I’ve heard good things about him as a coach.

... the squad:

Pavel Kaderabek will be out for a little longer, against Ingolstadt and as it stands, Freiburg. Likewise Mark Uth, Fabian Schär and Lukas Rupp will not be available for Saturday, but all three are making good progress with their recoveries. I am hoping that they will return to regular training in the coming week.


... the home record:

It’s great that we are playing well at home and remain undefeated, but I don’t differentiate between home and away matches that much. Sure, the fans are a bit more supportive at home, but ultimately it’s just football. I’m happy – for the fans above all – that we have such a strong home record.

... being the favourites:

It’s nice if we’re dubbed as favourites by the media ahead of the game against Ingolstadt. In previous years that hasn’t been the case, but it hasn’t at all been a topic in our training sessions during the week. We have the will and the hunger to go out and win every game, regardless of whether we’re heralded as favourites or not. It has no effect on the extent to which we prepare for our games. 

... the pressure:

The team has dealt with the recent pressure very well, and this is mainly due to the fact that we don’t talk about the table or international matters in-house. We discuss what’s at hand, and what we can do about it. That’s what motivates us. The team always wants to win. That’s the pressure, and how we avoid it. 



THE HISTORY OF THE MATCHUP: 

There have been three Bundesliga matchesbetween TSG and Ingolstadt, with Hoffenheim yet to be defeated in these duels. The first game ended in a draw (Mark Uth salvaged a point for Hoffeinheim thanks to a stoppage time equaliser to make it 1-1), and since then TSG defeated Ingolstadt both times by a scoreline of 2-1.


THE OPPONENT’S FORM:

Ingolstadt were 10th following the first matchday, but subsequently have failed to climb higher than 15th. After fourteen matchdays, they are in danger of automatic relegation, in 17th place. Disregarding the table, Ingolstadt are in fact hitting their stride, having accumulated six points already in the second half of the season, after only acquiring a mere twelve in the first half. Maik Walpurgis’ team won at home against Hamburg, and defeated the Eintracht in Frankfurt.   


THE KEY BATTLE:

It’s a duel of conflicting styles of play. TSG want to have the ball and thus dominate the game by playing convincing football, and manager Julian Nagelsmann wants to avoid a tight, physical contest which could lead to injuries. Ingolstadt are happy to let their opponents have the ball, and usually play physically and counter quickly. The stats to back it up? Hoffenheim have completed 9135 successful passes through the course of the season to Ingolstadt’s mere 5538. Furthermore, Ingolstadt have made 4732 challenges, whilst Hoffenheim have only made 4015. For TSG, it’s worth them using their own game plan on their pitch, and imposing their style of play. 

Tickets »

Match facts and statistics »

Download Now!
Print Page to top