TSG primed for VfB: "We have a battle plan"

Derby day! Baden vs. Swabia, TSG vs. VfB Stuttgart – all on the Day of German Unity. achtzehn99.de brings to you all the thoughts of Markus Gisdol and Ermin Bicakcic ahead of the game…

Markus Gisdol on ...

...the opponents:

It can’t be easy being VfB right now. They’ve had a lot of chances in almost all their games, but have ended up losing most of them. To be to the point, they’re very strong going forward, but very vulnerable at the back. All things considered, Stuttgart are very dangerous opponents – especially now.

...personnel:

Sebastian Rudy and Eduardo Vargas are both doubtful for the game on Saturday. We can’t promise they’ll be available. Both are carrying injuries picked up in the last game. Eduardo is having problems with his ankle ligament. That happened against Augsburg when the penalty was conceded. It didn’t look too bad at first, but then the ankle started really swelling. Sebastian had a tight thigh even after the Dortmund game. He was just about alright for the Augsburg match, but it will be a stretch for him.

...the current situation:

The win relieved the tension a little. A few of the players are now a little more relaxed. Games against VfB Stuttgart are something quite special. We’ve looked good in most of the meetings, but we did once take quite a beating. I think Saturday’s game will be quite an open, attacking encounter from both sides. The likelihood of a 0-0 is not that big.

Ermin Bicakcic on ...

...the opponents:

We can’t judge VfB on their current position in the table. They’ve played good football so far. Alexander Zorniger’s team know one thing: They’re stronger going forward. Defensively they haven’t been very good yet, so I’m convinced we’ll be able to get something out of the game. We have a clear battle plan.

...the current situation:

There’s a great atmosphere within the team and we’re looking forward to the game. The derby always has something quite special about it. As in every match, we want to take all three points. I will be spurred on by the fans’ terrific support. We can achieve something together here: The players, the manager, the backroom staff, and of course fans.

I have big belief in my ability, so letting my head sink because of not starting when the season got under way was never an option. I knew I had to keep working and show what I’m made of. I got my chance, and now I’m in. I’m hard on the pitch, but fair. That can backfire and hurt me as well, but I don’t think about that. It’s all about the team. ‘No pain no gain’ is the motto.

Previous meetings:

It took TSG five seasons in the Bundesliga to beat VfB. It finally happened on 26th September 2012. Usami, Joselu and Johnson were the scorers in a 3-0 win against Stuttgart. After that, another two Stuttgart wins followed, before Hoffenheim took control again of the Baden-Württemberg derby. 4-1, 2-0 and 2-1 were the scores in the last three results – all won under current TSG boss Markus Gisdol.

Opponents’ form:

Stuttgart have played seven Bundesliga games so far, winning one against Hannover and losing the other six. Arguably, they didn’t deserve to lose all six of those games, however, they have often failed to take their chances and have conceded goals unnecessarily. A pattern has emerged, and though their form hasn’t been that bad, they now sit in 17th place.

Key battles:

In the 90s, Stuttgart had the dangerous "Magic Triangle". These days it’s the two Daniels causing trouble in the opposition penalty area. Now they have Didavi and Ginczek at the centre of their attack, and both have assisted or scored four goals. Didavi finds space well and Ginczek has a good finish on him. The Hoffenheim defence will have to cope with the two this weekend.