Matarazzo: “It’s going to be a top match”

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9 March 2024, 05:15 yayınlandı

Pellegrino Matarazzo on…

…Sunday’s fixture: “We’re all looking forward to the game. It’s going to be a top match. After two straight wins we’re obviously full of anticipation. We’re ready for the fight.”

…Eintracht Frankfurt: ”They have a lot of quality in their squad. The attacking line is very creative and the whole team has a lot of speed. Frankfurt have shown that they can defend well, especially in the first half of the season. We’re getting ready for a team that will be fired up by their fans and we’ll have to try to resist them.”

…the league table: ”It’s an opportunity for us. We are challengers and we remember what happened a year ago. We were in last place back then. We’ve kept our calm and stuck together over the past few weeks. Now we can cause problems for Eintracht Frankfurt.”

…TSG’s defensive record: “I am happy with the progress. The processes are working much better. We’re a unit that defends together on the pitch. But there is still room for improvement, such as in set-piece situations or deep-lying defence. We want to see more and we remain focused.”

…Maximilian Beier: “He’s a good kid and very humble. His development is extraordinary. Maxi works very hard for the team and I would be delighted if he were to receive a call-up for the national team.”

The personnel situation:

Kevin Akpoguma and Robert Skov are both listed as doubtful, while long-term absentees Mergim Berisha, Marco John, Grischa Prömel and Dennis Geiger are also still out. Akpoguma has returned to team training and is closer to a return than Skov. Marius Bülter and Pavel Kadeřábek are suspended.

Head-to-head record:

It has been almost eight years since TSG last won in Frankfurt. Against no other current Bundesliga club have Hoffenheim had to wait longer for an away win.

The opposition’s form:

Prior to the 2-1 win away to 1. FC Heidenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt were rumoured to be in crisis, although coach Dino Toppmöller’s team have only lost one of their last nine Bundesliga games and remain in sixth place.