Professionals, 12. March 2021
Both VfB and TSG Hoffenheim have collected eight points (W2 D2) from their last four Bundesliga games, and both are looking to extend that run when they go head to head at the Mercedes-Benz Arena at 18:00 CET on Sunday. “Against Hoffenheim, we want to take the next step in our journey,” said VfB boss Pellegrino Matarazzo ahead of the game.
Matarazzo feels VfB’s Baden-Württemberg rivals have succeeded in steadying the ship in recent games. “Hoffenheim have had a tough season,” said the 43-year-old. “Now they’re going through a period where they’re playing with more consistency. They’re a team with a lot of qualities. They’re ambitious going forward and normally find a good balance between playing with tempo and passing the ball around.”
Erik Thommy, who has been struggling with a hip problem of late, is fit again and available for selection on Sunday. Nicolas Gonzalez (thigh muscle tear) and Clinton Mola (damaged hip cartilage) are back in light training, with the former expected to return to full training in the coming weeks. Lilian Egloff (bone oedema) is also on the mend, but Hamadi Al Ghaddioui is sidelined for the time being after suffering a syndesmosis ligament injury.