FIRST TEAM
03/22/2012

Keeping up the run against Gladbach

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim's opponents in the Bundesliga this weekend are Borussia Mönchengladbach. The ‘Foals' have had an extraordinary season, flying high in 3rd place in the league and narrowly missing out on the final of the German Cup. But nevertheless, Hoffenheim will be relishing their trip to Borussia Park. In seven games against Gladbach, TSG have won four – including their clash earlier on this season – drawn two and lost just one. The remit for Markus Babbel and his team this week is to extend that record, as well as to erase the demons of last week's defeat to VfB Stuttgart.

Extra games make no difference

“It won't be easy for us by any stretch of the imagination. Against Gladbach you always have to put a massive shift in”, emphasised Babbel at Thursday's press conference. “They're an organised side, who have incredible speed and energy, and function well as a team.” What may work in Hoffenheim's favour this week is that Gladbach played 120 minutes of football in midweek in the German Cup semi-final, eventually losing on penalties to FC Bayern Munich. “That can only be an advantage to us if we can give it everything we have”, insisted Babbel. “We can't simply assume that they will be tired.” Indeed, the last time Lucien Favre's team played during the week, they won the league game on the following weekend, comfortably beating FC Schalke 04 by a 3-0 scoreline.

A platform to build on

In order to compete with Gladbach, Babbel is expecting that his team will be compact and solid at the back, but also have the invention to fashion chances at the other end. “We have to be up for the fight from the very first whistle. We have to be ready to exploit every situation and give 110% for the entire 90 minutes”, he said. The former Hertha Berlin boss sees the team's second half performance against VfB Stuttgart as something to build on. “If we play like we did in the second half of the Stuttgart game, then we have a chance of taking something home with us from Gladbach.” Hoffenheim's away record has been reasonably good in recent weeks. Aside from the 7-1 demolition at the hands of Bayern Munich two weeks ago, TSG have taken seven points from the previous twelve, including wins at VfL Wolfsburg and 1. FC Nürnberg.

Lakic still out

Babbel has no fresh injury worries to contend with this week. His most notable absentee is on-loan striker Srdjan Lakic, who is still sidelined with a back injury. On a more positive note, defender Andreas Ibertsberger made a long-awaited return to first team training this week following his chronic back problem. He has made huge strides in the last few weeks and it is hoped he can be included in a matchday squad before the end of the season.

Match facts and statistics »

Download Now!
Print Page to top