From BZ/dpa
Hertha BSC can rely on Sandro Schwarz on the sidelines in the duel between the relegation candidates at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
The 44-year-old Hertha BSC coach was absent during the week due to a gastrointestinal infection, but Schwarz will be back on the sidelines in the Bundesliga game in Sinsheim on Saturday.
In addition to the offensive players Jean-Paul Boetius (shoulder injury), Chidera Ejuke (knee injury) and the long-term injured Kelian Nsona, the guests are also missing Marc Oliver Kempf (hip injury) and Marton Dardai (muscular problems). Schwarz brought in Agustín Rogel and Maximilian Mittelstädt.
Bottom of the table Hoffenheim can once again rely on defender Kevin Vogt, who was injured last. In addition, playmaker Christoph Baumgartner is back in the starting XI after the yellow card suspension. The Croatian World Cup bronze medalist Andrej Kramaric, who didn’t play at all in the defeat in Freiburg, also plays from the start.
Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo is threatened with a premature end to the Kraichgauer, who have been without a win in 14 games in the upper house, with their sixth loss in a row since taking office in February. “We’re in result sport, and that’s just not true for a long time – you have to address it so openly and honestly,” said sports director Alexander Rosen before kick-off in the Sky interview: “I’m going ahead, trying to spur it on. It’s about working on solutions in a team-oriented manner, evaluating developments.”