Pellegrino Matarazzo on…
…the final game of the season: “My heart rate has never dropped in the last few weeks. There’s a huge sense of joy. Playing a kind of final against Bayern Munich in front of a sell-out crowd will be a great game. You can also feel the excitement in the team. I have a good feeling based on the momentum. It is not the time to start a major analysis. What is clear is that we had a good start but then there was a period in which we didn’t pick up our points; now we’re back on an upward trajectory.”
…his experience with finals at the end of the season: “Either you get the job done or you don’t. I have of course had positive experiences, but it’s also down to the players who are on the pitch. The boys have proven in training that they’re looking forward to the game. That’s decisive for a final like this. You need a certain level of relaxation to be able to play well in games like this.”
…the uncertainty that will follow the final matchday: “We’re still striving for the maximum. Our task is simple and we don’t have to look left and right. It will be challenging against FC Bayern Munich. But it’s not complicated: win the game and then see what happens.”
…Bayern Munich: “We don’t yet know who will be on the pitch for them. We’re expecting that it will be similar to how it was against Wolfsburg when they won 2-0. Regardless of who plays, there will be quality on the pitch. There is also something at stake for them. We need the belief that we’re capable of beating Bayern but are expecting a strong opponent. More was also possible in the reverse fixture. We believe that we can do it regardless of what side of themselves Bayern show.”
…the big win in Darmstadt: “It has opened a door for us, even if we don’t have it in our own hands. But we will secure seventh place with a victory and have a chance of more. That’s why we can play for the win with freedom on Saturday. We need to pick up our three points first of all but then we can look at the other places.”
…Baumann and Beier’s call-ups by the DFB: “It’s wonderful. They are two players who have delivered all season. They have been deservedly rewarded. It gives the whole team an energy boost, because their team-mates have also played their part.”
…squad planning with young talents: “We have several young talents who will make their mark next season. A loan could also be helpful for one or two players, but I won’t go into detail on that. But the fact is that we have a lot of young talents, so I’m excited about TSG’s future.”
The personnel situation:
There are no changes compared to the previous week. Stanley Nsoki, Dennis Geiger and Mergim Berisha are not available. Wout Weghorst was absent at the beginning of the week due to family reasons, but has “a very high probability” of being involved on Saturday, according to Matarazzo.
Head-to-head record:
The men from Munich have not won both matches against TSG in the same season for six years. FC Bayern claimed a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture, so perhaps that serves as a good omen for Saturday.
The opposition’s form:
FC Bayern Munich suffered defeat against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League last week and will therefore finish the season without a trophy for the first time since 2012. Coach Thomas Tuchel’s team still have second place in the Bundesliga to play for, which would be secured with a win.
Match facts and statistics »
