TSG Hoffenheim

Umut Tohumcu smiles, no, laughs from the bottom of his heart. The 18-year-old is enjoying the training session in the spring-like temperatures of Albufeira, Portugal – it’s clear, visible for all to see. His childhood dream has come true: he is a Bundesliga football player. But when training is over, the midfielder shows a different side to his character. There is not much left of the self-confident and ambitious Tohumcu; instead, the young player appears reserved, almost shy in the often-cited “shark tank” that is professional football. The attention bestowed upon him in a SPIELFELD interview shortly afterwards even seems awkward for him. Umut Tohumcu much prefers to let his football do the talking.

It’s a glimmer of hope, a show of solidarity – and a demonstration of resilience. It’s proof of the immense strength – of those 80 girls and boys who hail from Lviv to Luhansk, and from Kiev to Odessa, but also of the entire Ukrainian people. The visit by the “School of Resilience”, a project of the Klitschko Foundation, to Heidelberg between 10 and 19 February sends a strong signal of togetherness. “The purpose of the trip was and is to offer new perspectives to the young people so that they can find new objectives for their future,” said Klitschko Foundation Director Angelina Osadcha. “They’re in a safe environment here, without sirens and bombs, without fear for their lives and safety.”

Travel and parking Train: From the main train station, take the stadium line to the “Fußball-Arena”...

Did you know that… …FCA are TSG’s favourite foe? Hoffenheim have won 14 of their 23...

In addition to the new edition, TSG fans can access all the previous editions online as a special service. The electronic version of the monthly SPIELFELD magazine is available to be browsed through online. You can read through each of the previous 85 issues to date at the click of a mouse.

Pellegrino Matarazzo on… …his first full week of training: ”The team have made a really good...

Thomas Delaney: “It’s tough to take. The match was a battle. It really hurts to concede...

The scenario: TSG went into the match in 14th place in the table, with 19 points....

The substitutes: Philipp, Bičakčić, Dabbur, Rudy, Akpoguma, Kramarić, Nsoki, Bischof, Asllani

FC Augsburg are in the same position that they have always been in over the last few years: lower mid-table. Augsburg have finished each of the past seven seasons between 12th and 15th place in the table and, with 13th their current placement, are on course to do so again this season. FCA have only crossed the 40-point threshold once during those years. Augsburg are somewhere between mid-table regulars and too good to go down.