Matarazzo: "There's no reason to let up"

Pellegrino Matarazzo on…

…the mood prior to the game: "I sense a positive tension, but I also feel the joy in myself and the lads. I'm expecting a very focused opponent that is always raring to go in home games. We're looking forward to performing there and hopefully picking up points too."

…his return to Stuttgart: "I experienced a lot in the three years in Stuttgart, hence why I'm looking forward to seeing several familiar faces again. But above all I'm excited about my own lads, we want to end the season positively."

…a possible drop-off after securing survival: "The team is doing outstandingly in training. I can sense the joy among the lads, but also the focus required to perform. That makes it very easy for me as a coach. We're competitors and want to win. That's why we're here."

…his analysis of the season: "For me, this match is very important when it comes to analysing the past weeks. I'm not yet in season analysis mode, I'm concentrating solely on Stuttgart. Only afterwards will we look at what we need to change."

…his role as a "rescuer": "For me, it's very clear that people are versatile. One can adapt to a certain situation. I'm not only a rescuer, I've also already got a promotion on my CV as well as a top-half finish in the Bundesliga. But I've also learned to appreciate such special situations."

…Stuttgart's position in the relegation battle: "My first focus is on us winning the game. We have many reasons to perform well but none for letting up. After the game and hopefully picking up three points, I will still of course hope that Stuttgart have stayed up."

…Ermin Bičakčić: "Irrespective of the future: Ermin continues to be enormously valuable to the team. He is very sharp defensively and he is also really important in the changing room. I'm happy to have him in the team. He has always done very well in his recent appearances."

The personnel situation:

Dennis Geiger is doubtful with back problems, while Kevin Akpoguma will miss out with a thigh issue. Kevin Vogt and Pavel Kadeřábek remain sidelined. Stanley Nsoki is eligible to play again after serving a suspension for his red card against Eintracht Frankfurt.

The opposition's form:

Since appointing Sebastian Hoeness as coach, VfB Stuttgart have frequently produced good performances but have taken only four points from their last four matches. VfB moved out of the drop zone thanks to a 4-1 win in Mainz last week and now have their survival in their own hands.

Head-to-head record:

VfB have won 10 of their previous 25 Bundesliga meetings, while TSG have been victorious on seven occasions. But Hoffenheim have frequently struggled in Stuttgart in the past and have only twice returned from the state capital to the Kraichgau with all three points in the bag – most recently in September 2014.

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