#BFKTSG preview: “It starts from 0-0 again”

Julian Nagelsmann on...

...the opposition:

It is a new game and will undoubtedly be a completely different game. It starts at 0-0 again – that’s the beauty of football. You always get new chances to prove yourself. I know what we need to do. Overall, I was satisfied with the 3-1 result in the reverse fixture. I know how I want us to play tomorrow. We can’t predict how the opposition are going to set themselves up. Some sources say that they will put out their best XI, while others say that they will be resting some of their star players. We reckon that they will put out the same team that played in the league. That is the best way for us to prepare.

...the team:

As well as the well known absentees, last week we also lost Pavel Kaderabek, Mark Uth and Lukas Rupp. We have a lot of people missing, but there are a few players who have returned to training this week, like Adam Szalai and Robert Zulj; although they are still unavailable for tomorrow’s match. Before the season, we made plans for “worst-case scenarios” regarding squad injuries, so our squad has enough quality that we are able replace our injured players. Naturally, all our players will ideally get as much game time as possible. I have no doubt, that we have the players to put in a good performance tomorrow. 

...the current situation:

It is not absolutely imperative that we win tomorrow. Of course, a victory would improve our chances of progressing. We approach every game looking to come away with a win, regardless of our position in the table. If we win tomorrow, we still need to see how the other teams have done. But as I said, nothing will be written in stone after tomorrow, as there will still be two more group games to go.

In the Europa League, it really doesn’t matter who you are playing. And the names of the clubs don’t matter either. All the teams in our group are top sides. They all have the ability to put in good performances against us and make it tough for us to win. We also know, that it is not always the better side who comes away with the points. In one game we were definitely better, and we didn’t win. But in the second game we were not clearly the better side, but had chances to make it 2-0 early on – and wasted them. Our complete focus is on scoring chances. We simply need to put games to bed early on. In the game against Basaksehir, we made the most of our chances. As a result, we came away with the win. You learn from every game. 

...Turkish football:

I have seen many games in both the Champions League and the Europa League. There are always many talented players on the pitch who can perform, who are technically gifted, and who can do great things with a football. What’s more, they are always very passionate. Both on the field, and in the stands. I like it when emotions are involved. In Turkey, this is always guaranteed, so we are looking forward to it.             

Eugen Polanski on...

...the opposition:

We saw in the first meeting that Basaksehir are a good footballing side. We have to be very careful, especially as they will have home advantage tomorrow. We’re after as good a performance as we put in two weeks ago.

...the current situation:

It’s the first season in Europe for much of the team. We set a clear goal at the start of the season, and that was getting out of this group. We know that, unlike the Bundesliga, there are fewer games, so there are fewer chances to show what we’re capable of. We were able to do that in the first game against Basaksehir. We’ve finally arrived in the Europa League after the win last time out.

Previous meetings

The first and only clash between the two sides happened two weeks ago. Goals from Benjamin Hübner, Nadiem Amiri and Nico Schulz secured TSG their first ever European win on an historic night under the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena’s floodlights. The Turkish outfit may have grabbed a late consolation to make it only a 3-1 win, but the three points were well deserved for Nagelsmann’s boys. Hoffenheim currently sit third in the group, three points behind second-placed Braga and four adrift of leaders Ludogorets.

The opposition's form

Basaksehir are currently bottom of Group C following their defeat to TSG on matchday 3. They have only picked up a sole point so far, courtesy of a goalless draw with Ludogorets. They followed that up with a 2-1 loss in Braga. However, Abdullah Avci’s side head into the meeting with Hoffenheim on a high, having beaten Akhisar Belediyespor 2-1 on the weekend, having previously secured a point in their local derby against Besiktas. Basaksehir sit second in the Turkish Süper Lig with 20 points, only three behind toppers Galatasaray and two clear of Besiktas.

The key battle 

Unlike the first meeting, Basaksehir coach Avci will not be without a number of key palyers. Captain Emre Belözoglu is fit again and will no doubt add stability to the midfield. Together with the experienced Gökhan Inler, he will be looking to control things in the centre of the park, and bring the attackers into the game.  If TSG want to make it back-to-back wins against the Turkish side, the midfield battle will be crucial, and it’s one they will have to win without Lukas Rupp. Instead, it could be a midfield trio of Dennis Geiger, Kerem Demirbay and Nadiem Amiri that will be aiming the help Hoffenheim to another three points.

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