Matarazzo: "The team is fired up"

An important encounter in the battle for survival: TSG Hoffenheim will take on Hertha BSC at the PreZero Arena on Saturday (15:30 CET / Live TIcker at tsg-hoffenheim.de). A victory would carry TSG above the Berlin outfit and end their current negative run. Prior to the match against the capital club, head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo spoke about the significance of the game, the mood within the team and the attitude that is required.

Pellegrino Matarazzo on…

…the significance of the game: "Every game is important for us, but it is of course especially important on Saturday because Hertha are a direct rival. We want to leapfrog Berlin with a win and will embrace the challenge."

…the attitude required: "It will be important for us to show the same virtues that we did against Freiburg. The team spirit must be felt not only on the pitch but on the bench too. In addition, we have to step it up a notch so that we transfer our discontent from last week into energy. Then I am confident that this combination will lead to success. It's important that we recognise where we can play to our strengths and exploit Berlin's weaknesses."

…the support in the stands: "I would like to praise the fans. The way that they supported us in an away game was wonderful. I hope that they build on that on Saturday."

…the mood within the team: "I have the feeling that the team is fired up. The boys want to achieve something. There's no fear, but there is a dissatisfaction. The players want to unleash energy in order to turn the situation around. We're all very focused."

…possible changes in training: "The team requires a certain stability and routine to gain security. But there are of course everyday changes in order to stimulate the team. It always depends on what the team needs. Accordingly, the right management is always important."

…the defeat in Freiburg: "We could've won the match, the performance was right. We now want to make up for that on Saturday."

The personnel situation:

TSG will be without the long-term injury absentees Grischa Prömel, Jacob Bruun Larsen and Justin Che as well as Kasper Dolberg and Stanley Nsoki on Saturday. Ozan Kazak is banned. Sebastian Rudy and Kevin Vogt made their return to training on Friday and are in contention to play. Christoph Baumgartner could also return to the starting XI following his suspension.

The opposition's form:

Hertha have recently stabilised and have taken seven points from their last three home games under coach Sandro Schwarz. But the Berlin side have lost seven games in a row on their travels and are currently the worst-performing away team in the league.

Head-to-head record:

Hertha BSC are something of a favourite foe for TSG when they play on home turf. Hoffenheim have not won as many home games against any other Bundesliga team as they have against the capital club (seven). The two teams drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture.