Following last weekend’s 5-2 triumph at 1. FC Heidenheim, Thorup named an unchanged starting XI for his home debut. Ruben Vargas returned to the squad after recovering from an adductor injury. 

Rudy enjoyed one decent season in the Bayern rotation, before getting sold to Schalke 04 for a €16.5m fee. After one year in Schalke, Rudy was sent to Hoffenheim on a loan that was eventually made permanent.

“We now have to support the boys as much as possible. It is not easy mentally – you always have another game and after the Pokal exit the boys are obviously disappointed,” said Streich, based on what the players have said, and the fact that games are coming thick and fast. “We wanted the boys to calm down and to rest. We have tried to ensure that the disappointment hasn’t lingered for too long.” The head coach is confident that this has worked. “The boys were fully focussed on Gladbach today. They were calm and they also have a good relationship with each other. That obviously helps. We can now go into this next game with a newfound bravery.” There is another positive, with Yannick Keitel back in team training.

TSG Hoffenheim has been following developments in the Middle East with great dismay. The terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and the criminal murder of innocent Jewish civilians has left us deeply shocked and horrified. Our thoughts are with all those affected on the ground, the many victims as well as the families and friends of the relatives.

1. FC Köln fresh off the back of their first Bundesliga win in 2023/24 | RBL have only won one of the past six clashes between the sides | Kainz, Selke are FC’s key men

VfB host 1. FC Union Berlin at the MHPArena in the DFB Cup second round on Tuesday (kick-off 18:00 CET). Here is all you need to know ahead of the game.

The group stages of the GG8 Youngster Cup will take place on Saturday August 7 from 11am. The first day of matches will take place at the Werner-Seelenbinder Stadion of Lückenwalde. The following day’s action, including the final and third-placed match, will be held at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. All games will last for 40 minutes.

The 24-year-old has reportedly rejected three contract offers from his current club and is eager to play for a team in the Champions League.

Two from Sébastien Haller and one from Julian Brandt. Having previously hit the post twice, BVB...

Seoane ahead of #BMGFCH: “We’re focusing fully on the Bundesliga game” Gerardo Seoane answered journalists’ questions...