Schreuder: "We're trying to prepare the lads"

Alfred Schreuder on…

…the team's preparations: "We're trying to prepare the lads for it and will train in the PreZero Arena today too. It's extremely important for them to get a feeling of how it'll be on Saturday. We need to try to deal with the special circumstances well. I've had a few thoughts about how we can approach the match."

…his experience with games played behind closed doors: "I've already experienced it with NAC Breda. That was obviously peculiar to begin with. It felt like it was an important friendly."

…the opposition: "They can operate in different formations. They played with a back three towards the end of their fixture last week. Hertha strengthened over the winter window. I'm expecting them to adopt a rather counter-attacking approach. We need to focus on ourselves and keep our shape well."

…the personnel situation: "Andrej Kramarić shall likely train with us again today. It was a precautionary measure."

The social media question of the week:

Mr. Schreuder, you once played alongside Salomon Kalou. Are you looking forward to a potential reunion?

"I'm always delighted when I see him. He unfortunately hasn't played much recently. He's a superb player and was a big talent back then. I hope that he's involved again and that I can see him."

The opposition's form:

Coach Alexander Nouri's team have showed strong spirit on their last two outings. Hertha came from 3-0 down in Düsseldorf to salvage a draw and also picked up an important point against Bremen despite trailing 2-0 at one stage. The capital club currently occupy 13th place and have 28 points on the board after 25 rounds.

Head-to-head record:

Saturday will be the 20th meeting between the two teams in the Bundesliga. Hoffenheim have the better head-to-head record with nine victories, five draws and five defeats. Hertha BSC have been one of TSG's favourite foes recently: the Kraichgau club have five wins and three draws from their last eight meetings.

Match facts and statistics »