Eight games, zero wins: Things are going very badly in the league for TSG and coach Breitenreiter. They interpret the cup game with the big favorites RB Leipzig in the Kraichgau as an additional chance.
Zuzenhausen (dpa / lsw) – On paper, it really doesn’t look good for André Breitenreiter. In the Bundesliga, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim suddenly and unexpectedly face relegation after eight games without a win. In the DFB Cup on Wednesday (6 p.m. / Sky) with defending champion RB Leipzig, who is currently on a real run, it is relatively likely that the end will come. And in Grischa Prömel, Angelo Stiller, Dennis Geiger, Robert Skov, Pavel Kaderabek and Kevin Vogt, the 49-year-old is currently missing half a dozen top performers. Critics are already asking: TSG and Breitenreiter, how much longer will that go well?
The coach himself sees it very differently. He sees the precarious situation as an opportunity and doesn’t worry about his job. “It’s a very, very exciting challenge for me. To be honest, I really enjoy it. We all learn the most from these situations. The most important thing is that you stay focused and lead the way as a coach – I think I live that too before,” said the head coach on Tuesday at the press conference.
The clash with the Leipzigers who are currently so strong (“They rush through the league and are right where they are”) is a kind of bonus game for TSG and Breitenreiter. If a completely surprising progress is made, that would also give a boost to the league, in which the important game at possible relegation rivals VfL Bochum is due on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky).
“The team wants to turn the tide. If a cup game is necessary for that, it would be nice if we could do it,” said Breitenreiter, who seemed calm and clear. The coach, who came from FC Zurich, even allowed himself a pinch of humor when he answered what it takes for the Saxons to win: “Usually we have to score one more goal.” TSG, on the other hand, has not managed to do that in a competitive game for more than three months – World Cup semi-finalist Andrej Kramaric and Co. last won against Schalke in October when they reached the round of 16 in the cup.
The veteran Thomas Delaney, who was only committed on Monday, could be considered for a direct assignment in view of the absences of Stiller and Geiger in central midfield. Coach Breitenreiter only wanted to make a final decision after the final training session.
TSG should benefit in the coming weeks from the 31-year-old, who has been a regular in the Danish national team for many years. “He wasn’t the captain of several clubs for nothing. It’s important that we get stable players who are unencumbered. We’re looking forward to him,” said Breitenreiter.