At the end of the first half of the season, TSG Hoffenheim clearly lost 5-0 at FC Bayern Munich and is in 16th place in the relegation relegation zone. After nine competitive games without a win, TSG’s nerves are slowly but surely fraying.
Andrej Kramaric is angry and speaks plainly
Andrej Kramaric had enough of analyzing poor performances – so the Croatian vented his anger about the overall situation at TSG Hoffenheim with clear words. “It was clear to me that this would happen,” said the record goalscorer after the 0:5 (0:3) in the Bundesliga game at Bayern Munich in an interview with “ESPN”: “That’s a reflection of the entire season, that’s just one Shitty season.” The 33-year-old added that he was still cautious in his statement, “because if I were to tell the truth about the club and the current situation, I would probably have to pay the highest penalty in the history of the Bundesliga.” The club pays “so much money for nothing”, which is why he doesn’t want to talk about the game, but rather about the overall situation.
This is a reflection of the entire season, this is one fucking season.
Andrej Kramaric after TSG Hoffenheim’s 5-0 defeat at FC Bayern Munich
Due to the defeat in Munich, Hoffenheim slipped to 16th place at the end of the first half of the season. “There is a risk that we will be relegated,” said Kramaric, even though they have a “good team”: “But nothing is working since something has changed in the club.” The 102-time Croatia international, who has played in Hoffenheim since 2016, left it open exactly what changes Kramaric meant. There’s a reason why he’s still cautious, he said: “But maybe I’ll be even more clear in the future.” In the summer, the management level at TSG was reorganized and sports director Alexander Rosen had to leave. The changes were accompanied by massive protests from fans.
Club leadership reacts to criticism
The club’s management showed understanding for the harsh words, but indirectly rejected the Croatian’s criticism on Thursday. “It’s understandable that frustration builds up, but it’s basically positive when the players are emotionally involved,” said Markus Schütz, chairman of the TSG management, to the magazine “kicker”. Despite the current “difficult phase”, the TSG will “continue on this path consistently and undeterred by disruptive currents,” he emphasized.
No sanctions for angry speech
The Croat does not have to fear sanctions because of his angry speech. Andrej has been at TSG for so long that, as a leading player and record goalscorer, he is allowed to express criticism, said sports director Andreas Schicker in an interview on the club’s homepage. “Today I spoke very openly with Andrej about his statements, we cleared up the misunderstandings and set a common route for the rest of the season,” he emphasized.
The 0:5 has repercussions for coach Christian Ilzer
TSG coach Christian Ilzer doesn’t want to simply accept TSG Hoffenheim’s disappointing performance at FC Bayern Munich before a landmark game in the fight to stay in the league. “You can lose 5-0 here, we have to talk intensively about the way in which Bayern is certainly not our standard in our condition, but we still have to act differently,” said the Hoffenheim coach on Wednesday evening after the depressing defeat in the Football Bundesliga.
Nine competitive games without a win
“We have an important game in Kiel in three days. We will not destroy each other, but want to get out of this situation together,” said the 47-year-old Austrian. Hoffenheim remained winless for the ninth competitive game in a row on Wednesday evening. Ilzer only won in his 1899 premiere (4:3 against Leipzig). “We’re just lacking individually everywhere at the moment. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work, but then you have to leave everything on the pitch. I don’t have the feeling that it was like that for everyone today,” criticized midfielder Dennis Geiger. “We are in the middle of a relegation battle, there is nothing to sugarcoat. There is nothing else at stake for us. I hope that we show a different face on Saturday, otherwise it will be difficult for us.”
Trend-setting Cellar duel
Next Saturday, Hoffenheim, who slipped to relegation place 16 (14 points), will have to play against Holstein Kiel (11 points), who surprisingly won against Borussia Dortmund. “We have to get over the game against Bayern very quickly, we have an important game ahead of us on Saturday,” said defender Kevin Akpoguma. “You can always give your all and fight, but today that wasn’t right. We just chased and lost the ball too quickly.”
What will happen to Tom Bischof?
According to consistent media reports, German record champions Bayern Munich are about to sign TSG midfielder Tom Bischof. However, FCB sports director Max Eberl is still keeping a low profile. “If there is something to announce, then we will announce it,” said Eberl after the 5-0 win against TSG Hoffenheim. There probably won’t be anything during the winter break anyway. “We have an excellent squad in terms of quantity and quality. I don’t think anything will happen until the end of the transfer deadline,” said Eberl after the successful conclusion of the first half of the season.
According to Sky information, the 19-year-old midfielder will move to FC Bayern in the summer and will complete a medical check in Munich next week. Bischof, who has been playing for Hoffenheim since he was ten,’s contract expires at the end of the season. The Munich team could therefore sign him on a free transfer. RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt were also recently considered interested parties. “Tom Bischof is a young German player who has developed very well and has played very well over the last few months,” Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said before the game between Munich and TSG (5-0).
