Did you know that … … TSG are on the verge of setting a goalscoring record?...

The Costa Blanca is notable not only for its unspoilt hinterlands, but also its temperate climate. With an average of 14 degrees in January, the region offers ideal conditions for intensive preparation. The area east of Murcia is not uncharted territory for Union. Before Corona made such trips impossible, Union had already succesfully lead a winter training camp in Campoamor.

Sometimes we can get carried away in the moment and a more sober analysis requires time. But as 2023 dwindles away, my verdict is as boisterously upbeat as it was before. The Bundesliga is enjoying one of its boom seasons on the pitch on all fronts and I’m using this space mostly to celebrate the highs.

After his five-goal showing, with 10 of those goals coming in Europe.

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FC Augsburg began their preseason training for the 2023/24 campaign at the beginning of July, which started with a number of internal performance tests before the boys returned to the pitch. A new midfielder came on the scene in the form of Masaya Okugawa, who signed for FCA on a free transfer in the summer. Ricardo Pepi, who was sent out on loan to FC Groningen last season, remained in the Eredivisie after transferring to PSV Eindhoven. 

Bayern Munich has been linked to Kai Havertz many times over the years and now that one of his former coaches is the manager in Bavaria, it seemed logical that there could be a partnership in the works that would bring the attacker home to Germany.

After their match against SV Darmstadt 98 (Tuesday at 20:30 CET / live updates on tsg-hoffenheim.de), the TSG players will sign off for a short winter break. Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo will then welcome his charges back onto the training ground at 15:00 CET on 2 January. That will be followed by a friendly match on 6 January: TSG will face FC Augsburg away from home at 13:00 CET on Three Kings’ Day. The TSG squad will then head over into the neighbouring state of Bavaria on 12 January (20:30 CET / live updates on tsg-hoffenheim.de), where they will take on Bayern Munich for Bundesliga points.

“As of today, there are 48,364 members belonging to the Union family. For a member-led club like Union, there is no greater sign of trust than people joining and committing to the club in this way.”

The 22-year-old is now only the third player to have scored five goals in a Champions League game as he joins Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano with that record.