TSG Hoffenheim Haberleri

“Michael’s move to Munich signals nothing less than the end of an era,” said TSG director of football Alexander Rosen, addressing the departure of a long-term companion. “Michael has been a constant at our club for one and a half decades. He has shaped generations of goalkeepers through his work with the U19s, U23s and the first team. His technical expertise, his creativity and his dedication made him one of the most renowned experts in his field. He’s an improver,” said Rosen in praise of the outgoing Rechner.

“Rino not only knows our club but also the vast majority of the first-team squad from his own experience. By the same token, we also know him and are therefore convinced that he is the right man for the head coach job,” said TSG director of football Alexander Rosen, who continued: “He not only led VfB Stuttgart to promotion but also proved his qualities by keeping them in the Bundesliga. He can cope with pressure and knows what is required in this situation. His philosophy of play, his vision of football and his way of dealing with people make him a 100% fit for TSG and its approach – well beyond the current situation.”

Did you know that… …Leverkusen are not exactly Hoffenheim’s favourite foe? The two clubs have met...

Pellegrino Matarazzo on… …the short preparation period for the match: “We’re expecting a defensively stabler team that...

Additional buses will be in operation on Saturday. A shuttle service will take visitors from Sinsheim/Elsenz railway station to the PreZero Arena and back. In addition, a shuttle service has been set up on various other routes. Buses will be provided at the bus terminal (P9) for the return journey. More information about the departure times and stops can be found here (SWEG) and here (Palatina Bus).

TSG will have fond memories of the reverse fixture in Leverkusen, with that 3-0 victory at the BayArena on Matchday 3 perhaps their best performance of the season. But a lot has changed since 13 August 2022 – not only in Hoffenheim, where Pellegrino Matarazzo will make his debut as TSG head coach on Saturday (15:30 CET / Live Ticker at tsg-hoffenheim.de), but in Leverkusen too. The men from the Rhineland have also appointed a new man in the dugout this season: Leverkusen parted ways with Gerardo Seoane in October and replaced him with Xabi Alonso. Formerly a world-class player, Alonso previously coached the Real Sociedad reserves and has steered Leverkusen away from more dangerous waters since his appointment. But a run of five successive wins has now been followed by two defeats – and after those losses at home to Dortmund (2-0) and in Augsburg (1-0), the recently reinvigorated belief that they can make up the ground and achieve their overarching goal of European football appears to be ebbing away.

A good deed together: As a show of support for the people in the earthquake zone in Türkiye and Syria, TSG Hoffenheim is asking for donations to “Aktion Deutschland Hilft”. The alliance of German aid organisations is collecting money for the victims of the awful natural disaster. Any small amount will help make a difference and help out.

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

The substitutes: Philipp, Bičakčić, Dabbur, Stiller, Rudy, Dolberg, Bischof, Tohumcu, Asllani