FIRST TEAM
10/12/2022

#S04TSG: Precise crosses and dangerous forwards

It's time for TSG Hoffenheim's next floodlight fixture in the Bundesliga: André Breitenreiter and his team will be away to FC Schalke 04 – the coach's former club – on Friday evening (20:30 CET / Live Ticker at tsg-hoffenheim.de). The Kraichgau club have a positive head-to-head record against the Royal Blues, winning 10 of their previous 26 meetings in the Bundesliga, while Schalke 04 have racked up nine victories. Below, tsg-hoffenheim.de has compiled some interesting facts ahead of the clash with the promoted side.

Did you know that…

…this match will see a great many former colleagues reunited?

In addition to head coach André Breitenreiter and the assistant coaches, TSG players Ozan Kabak and Sebastian Rudy have a Schalke past. Among the home side's ranks, coach Frank Kramer has previously worked in Hoffenheim while the duo of Kenan Karaman and Kerim Calhanoglu used to play for TSG.

…Andrej Kramarić tends to enjoy facing Schalke?

In the most recent meeting with Schalke (a 4-2 win), the now 31-year-old racked up three scorer points (one goal, two assists). The TSG forward has notched six goals and three assists in his 11 appearances against the Royal Blues – only against Hertha (11) and Augsburg (10) has he amassed more scorer points. Since the Croat made his Bundesliga debut, no current player in the league has registered as many goal involvements against S04 as Kramarić.

…Hoffenheim play the most precise crosses in the division?

Overall, 28.3% of TSG Hoffenheim's crosses from open play in the Bundesliga this season have found a team-mate – a league high. Meanwhile, only Eintracht Frankfurt (17.5%) and FC Augsburg (9.3%) have a lower crossing accuracy than Schalke (18.6%).

…TSG have recently enjoyed and fared well in games against Schalke 04?

Hoffenheim have picked up five wins and three draws from the last 10 meetings between the teams, losing only twice. TSG now have a positive head-to-head record against the Royal Blues as a result, with 10 wins, seven draws and nine defeats from their 26 meetings.

…they will be up against Schalke 04 again on Tuesday?

The two teams will meet again under the floodlights in the second round of the DFB-Pokal – but this time in Sinsheim: the battle for a place in the last 16 will kick off at 20:45 CET.

…the Royal Blues have been on a negative run of late?

Schalke 04 have now lost three matches in succession and only have six points to show from their first nine games. Only once this century have they had fewer points: in 2020/21 at the end of which they were relegated  Schalke only had three points at this stage of the season.

…Schalke 04 like playing under the floodlights?

The Gelsenkirchen outfit have taken points from seven of their past eight Friday fixtures, with three wins and four draws during that time. The only exception was painful, however: Schalke suffered an 8-0 defeat to FC Bayern in the 2020/21 campaign.

…Friday evening fixtures have not really suited TSG lately?

Hoffenheim have been involved in the opening game of a round twice this season – and both games ended in defeat (1-0 in Dortmund and 2-1 against Bremen).

Match facts and statistics »

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