FIRST TEAM
05/01/2014

Off to Dortmund buoyed by “unbelievable emotions”

It's almost one year since probably the most emotional triumph in TSG's history – a 2-1 win on the final matchday of the 2012/13 season to secure an unlikely relegation play-off place at the death, which of course helped Hoffenheim retain their Bundesliga status. Now, on Saturday, May 3rd at 15:30 CEST, Markus Gisdol and his team return to that very same place on matchday 33 of the 2013/14 campaign.

“No one will ever forget that experience. That success is associated with unbelievable emotions. Now to go back is something special. Fortunately, we're in a completely different situation,” said manager Markus Gisdol in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

“My team will need an extraordinary performance in Dortmund if we are going to win. Even just for a point, everything will have to be right,” said the coach. “Dortmund are one of two exceptional teams in the league.” The fact is, Dortmund are unbeaten in seven games and they have won five of those. Gisdol's side are looking forward to their final difficult test on the road this season: “Games like these show you where you stand, where your limits are.”

Shortage up front

It's not time for experimenting for the manager. “The players capable of the best performance will be on the pitch on Saturday. You have to earn an appearance in the Bundesliga. You don't get one just because the season is almost over,” said Gisdol.

Gisdol's main personnel problems ahead of the games against Dortmund and Braunschweig lie in attack. Anthony Modeste is suspended for two games after his red card against Frankfurt, while Sven Schipplock won't return from injury before the season is over. “We're giving him time to get back to fitness and don't want to force anything with a few minutes of playing time this season. Losing him has hurt us over the last few weeks,” said Gisdol about the striker, who has been on the sidelines for some time.

It's still unclear as to whether Sejad Salihovic is available to play again. The Bosnian, who was Hoffenheim's hero in Dortmund last season with two goals from the penalty spot, has been out of action for a few days and is not 100 percent fit.

Praise from Klopp

267.49 kilometres away in Dortmund, Jürgen Klopp praised TSG and spoke of a “cool development” since the last meeting. “Jürgen Klopp doesn't praise opposing teams very often, so it's nice to see our development being appreciated. The team has deserved that this season,” said Gisdol when asked about the BVB manager's comments in his own press conference.

Gisdol feels that Borussia will give their all in their last home game of the season. “They're on a run and certainly will want to keep that going up until their cup final against Bayern Munich,” said the gaffer. “If we go into this game with too little intensity, we don't stand a chance.”

The situation leading up to the game hasn't really changed all that much from last season. Back then, Dortmund were in the Champions League final, another knockout game. TSG needed to do something extraordinary to come out on top in the Signal-Iduna-Park, and tomorrow is no different.

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