Stevens: "We must try and play our game at a high tempo"

Huub Stevens on...

…the opposition:

Darmstadt take their chances. The work hard and are always looking to attack. They will do everything possible to disrupt our rhythm and win the game, which is a very difficult thing to play against. We must try and play our game at a high tempo to try and make it difficult for them in defense. High tempo doesn’t necessarily mean speed. A tidy game always takes precedence over speed.

…personnel:

We must go without Kai Herdling for yet another week. Eugen Polanski and Pirmin Schwegler returned to training during the week but it is too soon for them to play this weekend. I will speak with the medical team and wait to see what happens in their outstanding sessions.

…the current situation:

This weekend’s game will not be the be-all and end-all; there are 15 decisive games ahead of us. It will get harder if we don’t get some points up on the board but I am positive that anything is always possible. With three points for a win, it can all go very quickly. Our fate is in our own hands. I won’t stop my players from looking at the table or reading the newspaper, but for me it’s not important. I will continue to emit calmness. When I am unsettled, so are my players. I know you to communicate and motivate my players. I see a development every day in training. Unfortunately, our table position doesn’t yet reflect that. The fact that Kevin Volland only played late in the game was a big subject in the media, but not for me. I have to disappoint players all the time and it is good when that happens because it brings the best out of them. We have 25 players in the squad and everyone has the opportunity to get into the team. We’re taking Jiloan Hamad; he’s come a long way since his injury.

Record vs. Darmstadt:

In the Bundesliga, the sides have met only. Hoffenheim both failed to scored and concede, leaving it a goalless draw.

The form of the opposition:

As the newly promoted team, Darmstadt were relegation candidates before the start of the season, but the surprise-package team who climbed from the third division to the top have done well. After a promising start, the team began to find it difficult to pick up points. They fight hard and have quick attackers like Marcel Heller. Last week they turned the game round against Hannover to win 2-1 and took all three points.

The key battle:

TSG have a stable defence. Stevens’ side will expect Darmstadt to play their usual gritty game and defend with their lives. An unaggressive approach will be the way to break down the Liles and take the all-important points.

 

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