Breitenreiter: ''We want to inspire the fans''

André Breitenreiter on…

…the opposition: ''Under Thomas Reis they've developed a clear idea of how they want to play. Bochum are very dangerous and like to attack the spaces in behind. They go forward at extreme speed, we'll have to have our wits about us and bring our best performance. Only then will we be able to get the three points.'' 

…going into Saturday's game as favourites: ''Bochum are supposedly the underdogs, but they managed to win both games against Hoffenheim last season. That shows that we've got a tough test in store for us. We'll need the fans to fully get behind us if we're to notch up our first win of the season.''

…his first Bundesliga home game in charge of TSG: ''We're really looking forward to playing at home. From my first day here, we've done everything we can to be close to the support. We now have to deliver an exemplary performance to show that we want to win back the trust of the fans. We want to inspire them, and that starts on Saturday, ideally with an attractive style of play and three points in the bag.'' 

…the defeat in Gladbach: ''The team played with a lot of intensity. Even when we were down to ten men we had the chance to win the game. It was a performance that we can build one. You can't expect to win in Gladbach when you're a man down. I don't feel any pressure going into Saturday after the defeat last weekend.''

…the new signings: ''They'll naturally need some time to adapt to our style of play. Nevertheless, I think we are doing well and will be able to integrate them pretty quickly. As we have a few absences, it's likely they will be thrown in there sooner rather than later. They will be able to strengthen us right away with the quality they have to offer.''

…the large number of bookings: ''There is no blanket reason as to why we're getting a lot of yellow cards. Tough tackling is part of the game. Nevertheless, I didn't see my team getting many unnecessary bookings during preseason. We want to maintain our aggressive style of play while cutting out the unnecessary cards for complaints and poorly-timed challenges.''

The personnel situation:

Ihlas Bebou (knee problems), Benjamin Hübner (ankle injury), Ermin Bičakčić (lack of match fitness), Angelo Stiller (rehabilitation training) and Stefan Posch (suspension) will be unavailable for TSG Hoffenheim against VfL Bochum on Saturday.

The opposition's form:

VfL Bochum started the Bundesliga season with an unlucky 2-1 loss at the hands of 1. FSV Mainz 05. A week earlier, however, Bochum celebrated a commanding 3-0 victory over Viktoria Berlin in the First Round of the DFB-Pokal.

Head-to-head record:

VfL are one of Hoffenheim's bogey teams. Bochum have emerged victorious in four of the last six meetings between the two sides, with TSG winning the other two. Last season, the side coached by Thomas Reis beat Hoffenheim 2-0 at home and then in April snatched a 2-1 win in the PreZero Arena. 

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