TSG Hoffenheim

Pellegrino Matarazzo on… …1. FC Köln: “Under their new coach Timo Schultz, they have a different...

January was once again a busy month for many clubs. Adjustments and changes were made to their squads for the upcoming second half of the season to ensure that they approach the remainder of the campaign as well-equipped as possible. But that was not the case this year for 1. FC Köln. Due to the transfer ban imposed in December, Köln are not allowed to sign or loan any players this winter – or this summer for that matter.

Due to the expected number of spectators at the stadium and the high volume of traffic, TSG Hoffenheim recommend travelling early and using public transport. Additional buses will be running to the PreZero Arena on Sunday. A shuttle service, which will run every 15 minutes, will take visitors from Sinsheim/Elsenz railway station (from the bus stop on the side facing the railway tracks) to the stadium (Sinsheim-Süd industrial estate, Am Hummelberg) and back again. A shuttle service has also been organised on various routes to take visitors directly to the stadium from towns in the surrounding area.

Join TSG Hoffenheim and other people in taking a stand against hate and discrimination: on Saturday (10 February), starting at 11:00 CET, there will be a demonstration at the Dr. Sieber Halle in Sinsheim against the political forces, such as the AfD, that seek to sow discord among the citizens of this country with hate and agitation. Together, all participants will take a stand for democracy and diversity.

Did you know that…

TSG Hoffenheim has found the ideal partner in Enginsight to strengthen its digital infrastructure and ensure cyber security at the highest level. Enginsight provides its all-in-one security platform plus support and consulting to ensure the security, performance and availability of TSG Hoffenheim’s IT systems.

“It is very important that every single person nips racism in the bud. It’s not just an issue of skin colour. It’s also a matter of sexual orientation and religious affiliation. None of that should be an issue at all any more,” said TSG player Kevin Akpoguma, taking a clear stance. Although the 28-year-old, whose father is from Nigeria, has rarely openly encountered racism himself, he is in favour of an open society. “I already have the feeling that things are getting better. No matter your skin colour, religion or who you love: it’s all completely normal – and that’s how we should deal with it. We should give everyone the feeling that they can live freely; that’s how the message spreads.”

It was not a straightforward route to the German top flight for Marius Bülter. Rejected by the Preußen Münster academy, he spent many years in the Oberliga and Regionalliga. But now, at the age of 30, he has made over 100 Bundesliga appearances. “I wouldn’t have thought it possible. My path is extraordinary, this kind of thing doesn’t happen often,” said Bülter, who has been wearing a TSG Hoffenheim shirt since last summer.

The substitutes: Philipp, Bebou, Adams, Jurásek, Bülter, Akpoguma, Skov, Conté, Bischof

Line-ups Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made two changes to the starting line-up compared to the 1-1...