Stani: “We want to compete with BVB“

Head coach Stanislawski did not deny that he was impressed by the current form shown by his opposite number Jürgen Klopp's Dortmund team. “Dortmund are playing great football right now. We know how much quality they have in their team”, said the manager. But he stopped short of writing off his team's chances. “Nobody thinks we'll get anything on Saturday. But we're going to give it our best for 90 minutes. We're confident going there and will be confident on the way back too. We want to show that we can compete with a very good side.”

Compper still out

Regarding team news, central defender Marvin Compper will definitely miss out. He has returned to team training after suffering a knee injury away at Nürnberg in December, but Saturday's game will come too soon for him. Andreas Ibertsberger and Matthias Jaissle are also out, but new signing Sandro Wieser and Ryan Babel have both shaken off knocks and should be fit to feature. Sejad Salihovic is also in line to play. The Bosnian sat out two days of training this week, but returned again on Thursday and has been passed fit. Changes are also expected up front, after the exit of Vedad Ibisevic to VfB Stuttgart earlier this week.

Stani's address

With the media gathered at the press conference, Stanislawski took the opportunity to lay to rest fears about rumoured disquiet at TSG. “We've embarked upon an endeavour to integrate younger players into the club and at the same time to adapt to current economic conditions. That is a process that takes time. The management and board communicate daily and everyone here is working night and day to help this club improve. But we can't perform magic, it will take time. We haven't performed as well as would have liked to, but we always discuss games the next day to examine where we could have done better. Defensively we have been solid; offensively is what we need to work, that is clear. It's what we think about everyday, but it isn't going to happen overnight”, said the manager.

Stats

Hoffenheim have the better record in this fixture. 1899 have lost just once in their last seven matches against Borussia Dortmund, wining three and drawing three. In fact, TSG have a better record against BVB than against any other current side in the Bundesliga. Last season, when Hoffenheim became champions, Hoffenheim were the only side to remain unbeaten against them. The last three meetings between these two sides in Sinsheim have been drawn, although Dortmund did win on this ground in the German Cup by a 3-1 margin in 2008, when Hoffenheim were in the 2. Bundesliga.

Match facts and statistics »