Borussia Dortmund will be keen to keep up the pressure on Bayern Munich when they face Hoffenheim on Saturday night.
In the weekend where Bayern Munich face a difficult challenge in Union Berlin, title chasers Borussia Dortmund will be keen to make the most of their visit to TSG Hoffenheim.
Edin Terzic’s men are in top form, winning all of their competitive games since the turn of the year. This has seen them draw level on points with Bayern at the top of the table, only behind on goal difference.
The home side are on the other end of the spectrum, having lost their last four Bundesliga games. This has seen them fall to the 15th spot, only ahead of VfL Bochum in the race to avoid the dreaded relegation playoff spot. Unless they can turn the tides against Dortmund this weekend, Die Kraichgauer could find themselves holding the short end of the stick.
Since being promoted to the Bundesliga in 2008, Hoffenheim have been top-flight regulars, even finishing third in the 2017/18 campaign. They now run the risk of being relegated for the first time ever from the top flight in their 123-year-old history.
Pellegrino Matarazzo took over from Andre Breitenreiter earlier this month but has not been able to make the most of the new coach syndrome. He has lost both of his Bundesliga games in charge so far and faces a harder fixture list than those teams below him in the table.
Both teams have much to play for albeit at opposite ends of the table. It promises to be a hard-fought game where neither team can afford to drop points. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
TSG Hoffenheim
With big steps towards #TSGBVB 🦶 pic.twitter.com/6Da6zungy6
— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) February 24, 2023
The home side are not just going into the game on the back of a poor run of form but also without the injured trio of Grischa Promel, Robert Skov and Jacob Bruun Larsen. To add to their woes, Kasper Dolberg and Kevin Vogt are both doubts for the game after having picked up muscle and head knocks respectively.
Pellegrino Matarazzo faces arguably Europe’s most in-form side this weekend and can ask for no better opponent to get his first win against. However, momentum and recent history is against him and it will take a monumental performance for Hoffenheim to derail Dortmund’s title charge.
Die Kraichgauer are likely to set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation with Oliver Baumann in goal. The shot-stopper is set to be protected by a back three of Ozan Kabak, Ermin Bicakcic and John Brooks.
Pavel Kaderabek and Angelino will function as the full-backs running up and down the field. The duo can also drop back to form a back five should Dortmund up the ante going forward.
Dennis Geiger and Thomas Delaney will form the backbone of the home side in midfield and will be tasked with the unenviable task of keeping Jude Bellingham and Marco Reus quiet. The task is easier said than done and how both players fare could very well dictate the tone of the match.
Christoph Baumgartner should function as the number ten, providing opportunities for Ihlas Bebou and Andrej Kramaric to find the back of the net. The latter started the last game on the bench and is a sure shot to return to the first XI.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Baumann; Kabak, Bicakcic, Brooks; Kaderabek, Geiger, Delaney, Angelino; Baumgartner; Bebou, Kramaric
Borussia Dortmund
Edin Terzic is expected to recall several of his top players who were rested against Hertha Berlin. This should see the quartet of Jude Bellingham, Raphael Geurreiro, Miklas Sule and Sebastien Haller all return to the lineup.
Dortmund are not without injury concerns of their own, with Julien Duranville, Youssoufa Moukoko, Abdoulaye Kamara and Mateu Morey all sidelined for the game. An in-form Karim Adeyemi picked up a knock against Hertha, and it remains to be seen if he will be included in the squad on the night.
The visitors are likely to deploy in a 4-1-4-1 formation that will be tasked with setting the pace of the game by seizing control of the midfield. Gregor Kobel should start in goal behind the back four of Julian Ryerson, Niklas Sule, Nico Schlotterbeck and Raphael Guerreiro.
Back on the road! 🔜 pic.twitter.com/JFWUk0rx9t
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) February 24, 2023
The energetic presence of Emre Can should anchor the midfield, affording Marco Reus and Jude Bellingham the freedom to push forward. Julain Brandt should retain his spot out wide on the right with Jamie Bynoe-Gittens replacing Adeyemi out on the left.
Sebastien Haller is expected to lead the line and will be keen to add to his tally. With Dortmund hitting all the right tones, they will be keen to begin the game on the front foot.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Sule, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro; Can; Brandt, Bellingham, Reus, Bynoe-Gittens; Haller
Key Stats
- TSG Hoffenheim have not defeated Borussia Dortmund since 2020, a run of five Bundesliga games. The visitors arrive for the clash on the back of a three-match winning streak against the home side.
- Borussia Dortmund have won all six of their Bundesliga games this year. This is their best start to a calendar year since the title-winning 2011/12 season.
- TSG Hoffenheim have conceded 18 goals since the turn of the year and have the worst defence in the Bundesliga in 2023. Borussia Dortmund have the best attack in the Bundesliga in 2023, scoring 19 goals so far.
- Borussia Dortmund are the only side in Europe’s top five leagues to have won all their competitive matches this year.
- TSG Hoffenheim have now gone 11 Bundesliga games without a clean sheet, their longest such run in the competition.
Player to Watch
Sebastien Haller
The former Ajax Amsterdam man is slowly yet steadily making himself comfortable at the Westfalenstadion. While he is yet to hit his best form, there is optimism that it is just around the corner.
With Youssoufa Moukoko out and Karim Adeyemi also a doubt, the onus to lead the line falls on Haller. Against one of the weakest defences in the league, the Ivory Coast international can hope to rack up the numbers and further boost his confidence. Dortmund have harder challenges to come, and getting Haller in the mood heading into those games will be key.
Prediction
TSG Hoffenheim 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
Hoffenheim will put up a fight but form-wise and quality-wise they are far inferior to their opponents on the night. Jude Bellingham and co. can smell blood and will certainly be keen to start off on the front foot. Anything less than a comfortable win for the visitors looks unlikely.
