FIRST TEAM
04/26/2019

Nagelsmann: "It'll be a challenging task"

In the press conference prior to the penultimate Bundesliga home game of the season − against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday (15:30 CET/Live Ticker at achtzehn99.de) − Julian Nagelsmann spoke about the personnel situation, the opposition and the resurgence during the run-in.

Julian Nagelsmann on…

…Kerem Demirbay's suspension: "He's needed 10 minutes in each of the past two matches to find his way into it. Then he's been good. He has a very good instinct for a game. He showed that when he assisted our second goal against Schalke. I think he's even more dominant when he plays slightly more defensively. He's delivered some very good performances in the past few weeks but we'll manage to replace him. We've recently done very well without Joelinton too."

…the personnel situation: "Kevin Vogt has some minor issues with his elbow but he should be okay to play. Joelinton, Dennis Geiger and Robin Hack are still sidelined. Joelinton underwent an intensive test yesterday, which went very well. It might be possible for him to return to team training next week. We'll need to weigh up the risk. I think he could be in with a chance of returning in the final match of the season, although I cannot say for sure."

…the opposition: "Wolfsburg have had a very good season. They've dropped off slightly since the break but it's still been very good. Bruno Labaddia is doing some very good work. They play with extremely clear structure and are very versatile on the ball. They're difficult to analyse too. We'll have to go up a gear if we want to extend our run, but we're definitely capable. It'll be a challenging task."

…the resurgence during the run-in: "We certainly have more to win than we do to lose. No-one would be upset if we finished in the top seven. Of course, it's our hope and aim to reach the Champions League once again. The team is showing real joy, whether in training or in the matches. Frankfurt have two important games against Chelsea in the Europa League coming up and we wish them every success. When you're in third of fourth, the pressure is slightly different. We're in the chasing pack and have a different type of pressure. If we want to reach the Champions League, we'll need to win all our matches."

The social media fan question of the week:

How does the training planning work towards the end of the season and where do you place the most emphasis?

"In terms of the basics, it's pretty much identical to all other phases of the season. The sole difference is the fact that we pay slightly more attention to physical freshness. Our processes need to be trained and working throughout the season. There's always content to repeat but it's more about physical freshness."

Head-to-head record:

The two teams have squared off 21 times in the Bundesliga. Wolfsburg have the marginally better head-to-head record (W9 L6), but TSG have not lost any of the past five meetings at home (W3 D2).

The opposition's form:

VfL Wolfsburg and TSG Hoffenheim are direct rivals for the European places. Coach Bruno Labaddia's charges sit in ninth place with 46 points after 30 matches. However, they have lost their last three away matches and were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in their last game on Monday.

 

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