Pellegrino Matarazzo demands a boxer mentality from his protégés in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga.
“We can expect a team that plays very intensively. There will be many infights – we have to decide them for ourselves,” said the new TSG Hoffenheim coach before the basement duel on Friday (8.30 p.m.) at FC Augsburg.
Basically, Matarazzo was combative on Thursday despite the month-long descent of the Kraichgauer. “We’re attacking, we want three points – we have a plan for that,” said the 45-year-old, whose debut last Saturday against Bayer Leverkusen went awry (1-3): “It’s about staying up. The Guys who are ready for that will be on the pitch.”
Hoffenheim is in the middle of a relegation battle
The TSG pros have rarely been ready recently. The club of majority owner Dietmar Hopp has now been waiting for a win for eleven competitive games. Hoffenheim have only picked up two points from the past ten league games, with a total of just 19 points after 20 matchdays.
TSG is only two points ahead of the relegation place, the table neighbor from Augsburg has two points more on the account.
According to Andre Breitenreiter’s successor, the unrest that has recently arisen in the environment of TSG with fan protests and criticism of Hopp. “But I have other issues. My focus is 100 percent on the sport,” said Matarazzo, who gave a positive assessment of the team’s development over the past few days of training: “The boys are willing, listen and talk to each other a lot. Those are very good Sign.”
Matarazzo can fall back on Vogt
In Augsburg, Matarazzo can once again rely on Kevin Vogt, the defender who was absent last time. Grischa Prömel, Jacob Bruun Larsen and Robert Skov are still missing. – The expected lineups:
Augsburg: Gikiewicz – Gumny, Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai, Renato Veiga – Engels, Rexhbecaj – Maier, Demirovic – Beljo, Berisha. – Coach: Maassen
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Kabak, Vogt, Nsoki – Kaderabek, Geiger, Delaney, Angelino – Baumgartner, Kramaric – Bebou. – Coach: Matarazzo
Referee: Patrick Ittrich (Hamburg)