Christian Ilzer hasn't lost a cup game at SK Sturm Graz in three years – his debut in the DFB Cup with TSG Hoffenheim is now coming up against Wolfsburg.
Christian Ilzer has won the ÖFB Cup twice in a row. In the current season he has already led Graz to the quarter-finals. For his first game in the DFB Cup, the Hoffenheim coach only has one requirement: “Go into the round of 16 with good energy and confidence.”
Will Ilzer's debut in the DFB Cup be a success?
After defeats in the Europa League against Braga and most recently in the Bundesliga against Mainz, they should now win again in the third competition. “This is the third wedding we're dancing at. We have to prepare ourselves so that we can perform better than last,” said Ilzer.
It's just win or fly!
In the quarter-finals, Ilzer will have to do without Umut Tohumcu, who injured his ankle during training. But Ilzer also knows what's important: “In knockout games you have to try to bring control from the first second. In the end it's win or fly. It has to get into your head that you go into these games with courage and willingness to take risks goes.”
You have to put everything on the pitch to reach the next round. Should Hoffenheim lose and be eliminated from the DFB Cup, Ilzer urges a little patience: “Starting is not rewarded, perseverance is always rewarded.” That is the important message for the team.
Opponents with a lot of self-confidence
It certainly won't be easy for TSG, as Wolfsburg have gained a lot of self-confidence in the last few games. On the last Bundesliga matchday, the Wolves dominated in Leipzig and led 3-0 after just 16 minutes. In the end, Wolfsburg won comfortably 5-1. In the second round of the DFB Cup, VfL also eliminated Borussia Dortmund – one goal in extra time was enough. Since then, Wolfsburg has not suffered a defeat.
“Wolfsburg is a team that has found itself and is on a roll. They have a lot of speed on offense and a lot of lively players,” analyzes Ilzer. But the focus is on your own game. “We don't want to overuse certain points, but rather concentrate on the 'small' tasks. They are the best way to improve the big picture.”
“Clearer picture by Christmas”
Less rotation can be expected against Wolfsburg than in the Europa League. “We have a lot of games and each one provides new insights and we want to have a clearer picture by Christmas – what is the starting eleven? Which players are finding their way better and better? The last two games have provided good information again. We will have rotation, but definitely not as strong as it was in Braga.”
Who will ultimately be on the pitch will be shown live in the audio stream on Wednesday (December 4th at 6 p.m ). Which series will be further expanded? The two defeats in the past games or Ilzer's cup run. Certainly no one in Hoffenheim has anything against it if the almost three years without defeat in the ÖFB Cup continue in the DFB Cup.
