Hoffenheim – The name is the program. The TSG has to win against Anderlecht in the Europa League in order to keep a chance of progressing. How is the opponent to be assessed?
TSG Hoffenheim is a guest in Anderlecht on Thursday evening. On the last matchday of the group phase in the Europa League, the starting point of the two clubs could hardly be more different. Currently the RSC Anderlecht would be directly in the round of 16, Hoffenheim would have been eliminated now.
RSC Anderlecht has the round of 16 in its own hand
Anderlecht is currently in the seventh place of the Europa League table with 14 points. With a win, the Belgians would be in the round of 16, for which the best eight clubs qualify directly.
With a tie, a result of the top eight would continue to be possible for the RSC, but then it would depend on the results of FCSB Bucharest, Galatasaray Istanbul, FK Bodö/Glimt, Viktoria Pilsen and Olympiacos Piraeus. Only one of these clubs should then get a victory. The Belgians already have the qualification for the playoffs.
For Hoffenheim, however, only one victory counts. Even in the event of success, it would need a lot of protecting help from other clubs. It is the first meeting of the two clubs in a competitive game, but Anderlecht’s balance against German teams speaks for Hoffenheim. Until so far, Anderlecht has won 13 victories against clubs from Germany and had to take 22 defeats, and there were also six draws.
(K) A reunion with Dolberg?
However, there will not be a duel against an old acquaintance against Anderlecht. Kasper Dolberg, who was under contract for six months in Hoffenheim, already missed the past games due to a knee injury. Keisuke Goto could take the vacant position. The 19-year-old actually belongs to the second team of the Belgians, but recently moved into the professional squad. There he scored his premiere hit in the 4-1 win against KV Mechelen last weekend.
Another position that could be interesting is that of the goalkeeper. Colin Coosemans suffered a thigh injury in the 0-2 loss in the Europa League game against Viktoria Pilsen. This put him out of action against mechels. A mission on Thursday (01/30/2025, from 9 p.m. in the SWR Audio-Livestream) is questionable, but not excluded. Replacement goalkeeper Mads Kikkenborg would be ready. If Coosemans do not play, there would be the duel of the second guard in the goalkeeper position. Because Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper Oliver Baumann is also missing due to injury.
Jan-Carlo Simić-a name you should remember
Captain Jan Vertonghen is injured in central defense, but there is still a very interesting personnel: Jan-Carlo Simić. The defender played for the Stuttgart Kickers and VfB Stuttgart in his youth before moving to the U19 of AC Milan.
In Milan, he made his debut in series A in the past season and scored a goal in his first game. This was followed by only three other league missions for Simić, in which the Rossoneri remained unbeaten.
This season, the 19-year-old switched to RSC Anderlecht and immediately became an absolute regular player. He also celebrated his debut for the Serbian national team this season – was able to cheer his team as an outsider against Spain (0-0).
After goalkeeper Coosemans, Simić has most of the time for Anderlecht this season and only missed two games, one of them due to a yellow lock. With clearing qualities and a lot of speed, the central defender can not only convince on the defensive. On the other side of the square, he also knows where the gate is. The Serbian international was already scoring four season. In addition, he definitely still has development potential at the age of 19.
From Anderlecht to the Premier League and back
Leander Dendoncker ensures order in midfield. The 29-year-old originally comes from the youth of Anderlecht and is currently loaned by Aston Villa. With the experience from almost 200 games in the Premier League, he was even allowed to lead the team as a captain as a loan player.
Dendoncker is actually native to the defensive midfield, but also had to help out in central defense. He has a very good eye for his teammates, but also wins many duels on the defensive.
Mario Stroeykens takes over the offensive part in midfield. After a syndesmosis tape, it won’t be enough for 90 minutes, but at the weekend he celebrated his comeback against Mechelen. The Belgian U21 international already contributed four goals and six templates in League and Europa League.
Thorgan Hazard also recently celebrated his comeback. After a cruciate ligament rupture, he played over the full distance for the first time against Mechelen and was able to prepare a goal. The wing player played against Hoffenheim 13 times in his Bundesliga period and only went off the field as a loser in two games (six wins and five draws). After his long injury, he should get going better and better and could become a great danger for Hoffenheim.
No victory – no Europa League
The Breisgauer squad is probably better occupied, but by the Knapped defeat against Tottenham Last week the TSG stands with its back to the wall. In such a situation, it will also be difficult for a potentially better team. Even if the Hoffenheimer focus is probably more on the Bundesliga, they want to say goodbye to the competition positively.
The motto can only be: win or fly. Although it could also be victorious and fly through the starting point. Nevertheless, a victory would do the self -confidence. If it doesn’t work out with the qualification for the playoffs, the double burden would be history and the TSG could concentrate fully on the league.
Prize on Wed., 29.1.2025 6:40 p.m., SWR1 Baden-Württemberg
