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FC Bayern ready for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
FC Bayern host TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the DFB Cup round of 16 on Wednesday evening. Following an excellent start to the new year, the Reds want to maintain that momentum and seal their place in the quarter-finals.
The situation
Three games, three wins, 12 goals scored, one conceded - Bayern's record so far in 2020 makes for impressive reading. The German record champions also reclaimed top spot in the Bundesliga on Saturday, so they can go into the first midweek fixture of the year with plenty of confidence. "We want to build on our performances in the first three games of the year. The players have more confidence in their ability again," said Hansi Flick in Tuesday's press conference. The clash with Hoffenheim is Bayern's first home game in the cup this season. After beating Energie Cottbus 3-1 in the first round, the holders saw off VfL Bochum 2-1 in the second round thanks to two late goals.
The opposition
Hoffenheim come into this meeting off the back of two successive wins in the Bundesliga. Having lost 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt in their first game of the year, they won 3-0 at Werder Bremen before beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 last weekend. TSG have overcome two third-tier sides to reach the last 16, beating Würzburger Kickers on penalties in the first round having led 2-0 before enjoying a more comfortable 2-0 success at MSV Duisburg.
"In Hoffenheim we're up against a side who play good football," said Flick. "Alfred Schreuder is a very good coach and is doing a brilliant job. He's a real football expert." For the FCB boss, it's a reunion with his ex-club. The 54-year-old coached the 'Kraichgauer' from July 2000 to November 2005 and was then general manager of the club from July 2017 to February 2018.
Team news
Bayern will be without Ivan Perišić after the winger suffered an ankle fracture during training on Tuesday. He joins long-term absentees Javi Martínez (thigh) and Niklas Süle (ACL) on the sidelines, while the game will come too soon for Kingsley Coman following his knee injury. "We expect him to be back in the squad on Sunday," revealed Flick. There was good news on Lucas Hernández, though. The defender will return to the squad for the first time since his ankle injury in October.
What the coaches say
Hansi Flick: "We want to win the game, get to the next round and obviously to Berlin too. We're preparing very well. My coaching staff and I are trying to convey to the players everything that they might face in the game. It's down to them to take that out onto the pitch."
Alfred Schreuder, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim coach: "The team spirit among us is great. We've shown we can beat big teams. We're up against the best team in Germany, it's a big challenge. We want to go out there with confidence."
By fcbayern.
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