FIRST TEAM
02/26/2016

Nagelsmann ahead of BVB: "Increase the intensity"

Julian Nagelsmann’s side face second-placed Bundesliga side Dortmund on Sunday, 17:30 CET. We spoke to him ahead of the fixture to gather his thoughts.

Julian Nagelsmann on...

… the opposition:

I saw their Europa League game against Porto. I can’t say for sure whether Dortmund will play like that on Sunday or not. Thomas Tuchel likes to rotate his squad in the different competitions so it could be good for us to play against a changed XI. They are very good at the moment. They’re not conceding many goals and have different ways to work the ball forward. They are flexible up front too. I don’t think they will be tired either. They have to deal with a lot of mid-week fixtures so naturally have a good squad and depth. Tuchel knows the players well, and how to use them.

... the personnel:

Only Tarik Elyounoussi wasn’t able to train this week because of knee problems. Apart from him, everyone is fit. The team to face Dortmund will be decided by who performs best in training. Every player has the chance to prove himself during the week. It’s not a case of who played on the last matchday.

... the current situation:

After the game against Mainz, the players got a lot of praise. I’ll give them that but we need to keep going in order to improve our situation. There were still things that we need to do better than we did against Mainz. The team know that too. The table looks a bit better, but we’re still 17th and we want to put pressure on the teams in our upcoming games. We go into the game with the belief that we can win and with a positive attitude. We are looking forward to the atmosphere in the stadium and it’s an incentive to play well when the whole stadium is against you.

Previous encounters:

In the last six games against Dortmund, Hoffenheim have taken three points thanks to three draws. The last win came in the 2012/13 season. Earlier this season, the teams shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

The form of the opposition:

The last side to beat Dortmund were Köln in December. They are still unbeaten in 2016, but drew with Hertha. They are second in the table and through to the Round of 16 in the Europa league. It’s no doubt they will be tough opponents.

The key battle:

The Dortmund attacking three will be the most difficult to deal with. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has eight goals, Reus has nine, while Aubameyang has 21. Together, they have 38 of BVB’s 54 this season. Oliver Baumann will have to be on top form, while the defence will certainly also have a task on their hands.

Match facts and statistics »

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