#SGETSG PREVIEW: "IT WILL BE AN INTENSE GAME"

Julian Nagelsmann on...

... the opposition:

"Eintracht Frankfurt are a strong opponent, they’re playing really good football and have kept developing all season. Niko Kovac has integrated the large number of newcomers well – the work he’s done there is sensational, there’s no other word for it. It’s difficult to play against Frankfurt, especially when they’re on the ball. They play a similar kind of game to us, so we need to defend well. They are physical, even in the absence of a very tough, instrumental player like Ante Rebic. They have more than enough quality on the bench to replace him. They defend aggressively and when they lose the ball they reorganise quickly – they’re not sixth in the table by chance. We have a plan, though, which will work: I’m looking forward to an intense and aggressive game of football."  

... personnel:

"Kevin Vogt and Benni Hübner are still doubts for Sunday, as is Ermin Bicakcic, who had returned to team training but has now been out for a few days. This is also the case for Stefan Posch, who won’t be able to play from the start. We do have some very good physiotherapists, however, who will be doing some overtime – then we’ll see how things are come Sunday." 

... Kerem Demirbay:

"Kerem Demirbay is back to full fitness and available to play. He’s had a few booboos this season, so we changed his recovery programme slightly: His fitness isn’t what it was in the first half of the season and whether he’ll play on Sunday depends on his effort in training and of course on the other players available for that position. His contract extension is extraordinary news for us, even though he’s not been as effective this season due to his injuries – he remains a crucial player for TSG and we are extremely pleased that he wishes to continue his career with us." 

... the current situation I:

"We’ve not changed the starting XI as often in recent weeks. We’ve also varied how high we press, dropped a little and waited for the chance to counter in order to avoid having to outplay teams that sit deep. That doesn’t always work, so we have to keep being flexible."

 ... the current situation II:

"I’m not a table analyst, but of course it is interesting to me what the other teams are doing, and I do wonder sometimes “What if this, what if that...” but that only makes sense if you’re winning your own games."

Previous encounters

Stats regarding TSG’s trips to Frankfurt make for good reading: Four times they have left the Commerzbank-Arena with three points in the bag – the best away record for Hoffenheim. Of the total 17 encounters, Hoffenheim have won eight, drawn six and lost a mere three games. To round things off: Frankfurt have failed to win in their last five games against TSG.

The oppposition's form

It’s the business end of the season. A win on Sunday could see Nagelsmann’s men leapfrog Frankfurt into sixth place. After losing 2-1 in Bremen, and following an unfortunate 3-2 defeat in Dortmund, Niko Kovac’s side find themselves only three points ahead of TSG, and with a worse goal difference, in sixth place. Nonetheless, it is a very good position for Frankfurt to be in. They must also be harbouring DFB-Pokal dreams, ahead of their semi-final against Schalke in mid-April. However, in these crucial weeks, Eintracht will have to make do without playmaker Ante Rebic. The Croat is set to be out for four weeks with a calf strain.  

The key battle

TSG’s game against Frankfurt will be decided in attack. In Kevin-Prince Boateng, Frankfurt have a top quality midfielder, whose six goals place him just behind their top scorer Luka Jovic (seven goals). If Hoffenheim successfully neutralise these attacking threats, they can then let their own strengths come into play. With 25 goals in the second half of the season, TSG have the second most prolific strike force, while Serge Gnabry has now scored four in his last four. If this rich vein of form continues on Sunday, TSG could be looking at a sixth consecutive game unbeaten.

Match facts and statistics »