Ahead of the important match against Schalke 04, TSG Hoffenheim have boosted their confidence with two wins. Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo wants to build on that.

Cellar duel in the Bundesliga. In the match between TSG Hoffenheim and FC Schalke 04, important points are at stake in the relegation battle. Before the match on Sunday (7.30pm), TSG coach Pellegrino Matarazzo spoke at the press conference about Schalke, their own run and the many announced visiting fans.

“It’s no secret that we are playing against a direct rival. We are playing at home and, after two successes, we also want to approach the game again with this energy, this strength and this cohesion to make it successful,” described the former Stuttgart coach after the victories over Hertha BSC (3:1) and Werder Bremen (2:1).

TSG now wants to “keep up and continue our run. We know it’s important,” said Matarazzo, looking ahead to the upcoming opponent from the Revier, against whom TSG have won all of their last three competitive matches.

“Schalke are doing well and have had a sensational run. They are very stable defensively, have their clear processes and look for the opponent’s goal quickly,” the Hoffenheim coach explained the strengths of the Schalkers, but also knows how TSG should get the points. “It will be important for us to play our game and, first and foremost, to follow through with what we set out to do with full consistency. We want to be active in the opponent’s half, be determined on the opponent’s goal and do a good rest defence, a good counter-pressing. “

With Grischa Prömel, Kasper Dolberg and Justin Che three returnees after injuries are candidates for the squad again. Robert Skov (calf problems) and Stanley Nsoki (adductors) are both questionable, while Kevin Akpoguma is available again after his substitution in Bremen, the TSG coach added.

The 45-year-old is not worried about the announced “fan invasion” of the Schalker guests on the Hoffenheim bench. “It always remains our stadium. We also had a sell-out crowd against Dortmund with many opposing fans and the atmosphere is sensational as a result,” said Matarazzo, promising: “Our fans are holding out, giving us strength and we’re looking forward to Sunday’s game against Schalke in front of a sell-out crowd.”

By the way, the overall record of the two speaks for TSG: the Kraichgauer won 13 games, the winner was Schalke 04 in only nine duels (with 7 draws). Away from home, the royal blue record reads even worse: In 14 attempts, S04 only took three points from Baden-Württemberg once (a 4:1 win in May 2016).