Matarazzo: ”We have to make smart decisions”

Pellegrino Matarazzo on…

…his first full week of training: ”The team have made a really good impression and are very much willing to learn. That’s a very positive sign. We are in the middle of the process. We worked really hard in this short training week.”

…FC Augsburg: ”Augsburg are very intense in the way they play. They have two variations in their defensive set-up: either they play man-to-man and press, or they sit deep and defend as a block. We have to recognise when space can open up and then get the ball forward at the right moments. It will all come down to seizing the initiative and coming out on top in the challenges. Augsburg like to play very directly going forwards. They get the ball from one end of the park to the other faster than any other side in the Bundesliga, but we’re prepared for that. We have to make smart decisions.”

…the situation: ”Conversations are being had, you can see the body language. The lads talk about it among themselves a lot, there is an awareness of the situation. We’re fighting against relegation. You can see who’s up for it. These are the players that will be in the starting line-up on Friday.”

…the meaning of the next game: ”Every game counts. A good performance and three points would help kick the process into gear. We’re going to go out to try and take all three points home with us. We need a plan and an awareness of what to expect in the game. We’re capable of winning this one.”

…Kevin Vogt’s return: ”Kevin livens up our build-up play and has the pace to chase down balls. He’s shown in training that he can be a real leader and will always make his voice heard.”

…new assistant coach Michael Kammermeyer: ”He has immense professional expertise and can provide input in all elements of the game. He’s an important person for me to consult. I’m very happy with the whole coaching team.”

The personnel situation:

In addition to the long-term absentees Jacob Bruun Larsen and Grischa Prömel, Pellegrino Matarazzo will also have to do without Dennis Geiger, who was shown his fifth yellow card of the season against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Robert Skov is also out. Kevin Vogt and Pavel Kadeřábek have recovered sufficiently from injury to train with the team all week and will be available for the match in Augsburg.

Head-to-head record:

The scales are clearly tipped in TSG’s favour: Hoffenheim have come out on top in 14 of their 23 Bundesliga encounters, while FCA have won five. TSG have come away with a win on six of their last seven trips to Augsburg.

The opposition’s form:

Augsburg have lost three of their five fixtures since the turn of the year, though they have won their two home games, against Mönchengladbach and Leverkusen. Both encounters ended 1-0 in favour of FCA, with Mergim Berisha scoring the decisive goal on each occasion.