Matarazzo: ”I’m looking forward to the challenge”

Pellegrino Matarazzo on…

…the clash with Leverkusen: ”I always think it’s important that we can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the league. It was similar against Dortmund, where we didn’t reach our best level of performance. That’s why we were knocked out. We’ll also have to play to our limit against Leverkusen. Just one percent below that won’t be enough to get anything from the game. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

… Leverkusen’s style of play under Xabi Alonso: ”I don’t really know him personally. From the outside, he is doing an excellent job. His team plays great football. Leverkusen manage to conserve energy by having a lot of possession. They have good counter-pressing. They find a good balance. In the 5-2-3 system, they have their set patterns. They also have extremely good players throughout the squad. That makes them difficult for opponents to break down. They are definitely capable of winning a title. They’re showing that on the pitch week in, week out.”

…Bayer 04’s cup game in Sandhausen: ”We learn something from every opponent and see how it suits our style of play. However, we expect Leverkusen to field a different line-up on Saturday. That’s why we shouldn’t take too much notice of the cup game.”

…the defeat in Dortmund: “I hate losing and I hate being knocked out of the cup. The team were every bit as unhappy. Nevertheless, you can also look ahead and focus on the next opponent. Both are possible. We’ve learnt a lot of lessons. Our performance in the final third wasn’t good enough.”

…the tactics for Saturday: ”We want to keep it tight in the centre. That was important against Stuttgart, and it won’t be any different against Leverkusen. But we want to land a few blows and enjoy phases of possession to ensure that we’re not pinned back by the opposition. We need calmness and control. That’s important for our game.”

…the crowd: ”We’re excited to be playing in front of a sold-out stadium. That gives us energy. The fans support the team, that always helps us. Of course we’re hoping that they will be a factor tomorrow.”

The personnel situation:

There are no updates regarding the long-term absentees. Pavel Kadeřábek is out of action, as he had to pull out of training due to an injury. There is hope that the Czechia international could be an option for the upcoming game against Augsburg. Florian Grillitsch will have to wait a little longer to make his return, perhaps until after the international break. Robert Skov will most likely return to training on Friday and should be fit for the game. Kevin Akpoguma had to be substituted in Dortmund with an injury, his participation is uncertain. Stanley Nsoki and Andrej Kramarić are training with the team and are possible candidates for a place in the matchday squad.

The opposition’s form:

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are currently setting the benchmark in the Bundesliga. Coach Xabi Alonso’s team are top of the table and are yet to lose a game this season. The only points they dropped came in a 2-2 draw away to Bayern Munich. Leverkusen ran out 5-2 winners away to SV Sandhausen in the DFB-Pokal during the week.

Head-to-head record:

This is the 31st time the two clubs have met in the Bundesliga. The record clearly favours Leverkusen, who have won 17 of these encounters (seven TSG wins and six draws). Last season, however, Hoffenheim produced a memorable performance to win 3-0 in Leverkusen.