“The feeling is absolutely that everyone is aware of the situation we are in. The first focus now is to stay in class and get out of the way,” said the 47-year-old. It is now important to win games. To do this, TSG has to score goals. Since the 4-3 win against Leipzig when Ilzer made his debut in mid-November, only three goals have followed in eight games.
Top striker Andrej Kramaric scored three goals in the first round, and the Croatian only scored three more in the following 15. Hoffenheim’s problems in front of the opponent’s goal were demonstrated by an action by Alexander Prass in the 0-1 defeat against Wolfsburg. Austria’s team player shot over the goal from four meters with the equalizer in mind. Ilzer said afterwards that he also missed leadership qualities in the team. But there will be no “whining” about the situation.
picturedesk.com/Expa/Hasan Bratic
Full weeks, but not full pants
The program for the coming weeks is not easy: After Bayern, it’s at home against the penultimate Holstein Kiel, against whom a complete success is probably mandatory. This will be followed by games against Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen in the league, and duels with Tottenham and Anderlecht in the Europa League. With only six points from six rounds, Hoffenheim is just as unsuccessful internationally as it is in the league.
German Bundesliga
Schedule and table
For now, Ilzer’s only focus is on Munich. “It will be difficult enough, but we still don’t want to go there with full pants,” he said. The principle of hope remains: “Perhaps we will be able to achieve a sense of success against Bayern, who are, in quotation marks, overpowering.” In the background, sports director Andreas Schicker wants to bring in reinforcements. Gernot Trauner is also being discussed. Hoffenheim is said to be interested in the Upper Austrian in the ranks of Feyenoord Rotterdam.
Kompany shows respect for guests
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany had kind words for the opponent. The Belgian highlighted Ilzer’s achievements with Sturm. “I have great respect for that. He broke Salzburg’s dominance with Sturm Graz in Austria.” One thing was clear to Kompany: “We are playing at home, we have the clear goal of winning.” Their pursuers Leverkusen should not be given the opportunity to get within striking distance.
Konrad Laimer and Co. also have intensive weeks ahead with six games within 18 days. Kompany expects his team to set an example right from the start. “We have the opportunity to show against Hoffenheim that we are hungry. We have no intention of taking just one step less.”
German Bundesliga, 17th round
Tuesday:
Leverkusen – Mainz 1:0 (0:0)
Thor: Grimaldo (48.)
Mainz: Mwene until the 80th minute
Kiel – Dortmund 4:2 (3:0)
Tore: Machino (27.), Harres (32.), Bernhardsson (45.+4), Arp (98.) respectively. Reyna (71.), Gittens (77.)
Rote Karte: Holtby (86./Kiel)
Dortmund: Sabitzer until 59th minute
Frankfurt – Freiburg 4:1 (1:1)
Goals: Koch (43rd), Marmoush (65th), Ekitike (71st), Collins (81st) and Doan (37th)
Freiburg: Gregoritsch and Adamu from the 78th minute, Lienhart sick
Wolfsburg – Mönchengladbach 5:1 (1:0)
Goals: Wind (3rd/penalty), Maehle (60th), Arnold (75th), Nmecha (84th, 87th) and Fukuda (89th)
Wolfsburg: Wimmer ab 45. Minute
Gladbach: Stöger played through, Lainer from the 81st minute
Wednesday:
Bochum – St. Pauli
6:30 p.m
Bayern Munich – Hoffenheim
8:30 p.m
Stuttgart – Leipzig
8:30 p.m
Bremen – Heidenheim
8:30 p.m
Union Berlin – Augsburg
8:30 p.m
