Matarazzo: "We want to give it everything''

The international break is over, the Bundesliga returns. On Sunday (17:30 CET/liveticker at tsg-hoffenheim.de), TSG Hoffenheim will host 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the closing fixture of Matchday 12. Ahead of the game, head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo spoke about the opposition, the team's home record and the international break.

Pellegrino Matarazzo on…

…1. FSV Mainz 05: "The past two games have been successful for Mainz. They are characterised by their pressing game, and they give very little away. That's been the case for the past few years. It's very intense. Their statistics show they don't belong in the relegation zone, it's just that their opponents have been very efficient. We'll have to be willing to put in the hard yards and front up physically out there.''

…the managerial change at Mainz: ''A team can always surprise you, regardless of whether or not a new manager has come in. I don't think we'll see anything radically different from them. Their playing style in the last two games was very similar to what it had been before.''

…the objectives for the remainder of the year: ''We want to give it everything in the five games we have left this year. It's a huge opportunity for us to consolidate on the performances we've been putting in. In January, we want to be in the same area of the table as we are in now.''

…the team's home record: "We haven't picked up enough points, but I think our performances have been deserving of a few more. It's been balanced out by our away haul.You also have to look at the teams we've played in the PreZero Arena. There are some big names there. We always go into games with the attitude of picking up three points.''

…the TSG players on international duty: ''There were a lot of positive experiences, the lads gave us a lot of highlights. The mood in the team is good, they've brought positive spirits with them. Taking part in the EURO matches can release energy in the short term. That's always nice."

The personnel situation

There are no updates on the long-term absentees. Stanley Nsoki will miss out with a knee problem. Pavel Kadeřábek, Robert Skov and Florian Grillitsch are back in training and could be part of the matchday squad. All the players on international duty also returned fit from their travels.

Head-to-head record

This is the 29th time the two clubs have met in the Bundesliga. TSG lag behind Mainz in the head-to-head record: Hoffenheim have won eight times, while the 05ers have notched up 13 victories (with seven draws).

The opposition's form

Mainz's form has been on a steep upward curve of late. Following the replacement of coach Bo Svensson with Jan Siewert, the 05ers have picked up four points from their last two games and have climbed off the bottom of the table. Nevertheless, the team are still mired in the relegation battle, with seven points from 11 games, and currently sit in 16th place.