Hoffenheim return from the international break with three points from four Bundesliga matches and a difficult 30-day schedule ahead. Christian Ilzer’s side begin the next phase on 10 October, looking to recreate the surge that transformed last autumn.
Quick facts
- Hoffenheim have lost three of their first four league matches.
- Their Europa League opener ended in a 2-0 defeat on Crete.
- They beat VfB Stuttgart 2-1 in the derby despite a less convincing display.
- Eighteen players are away on international duty.
- Nine matches await before the November international break.
Last season, Hoffenheim were 11th after six Bundesliga rounds, with two wins, one draw and three defeats. They then collected 16 points from the next available 18, winning five times and drawing once.
That run provided the platform for fifth place, the club’s second-best Bundesliga finish, and Europa League qualification. The only notable setback during that spell was a second-round DFB-Pokal exit at St. Pauli, lost 8-7 on penalties.
This time, performances have often been more encouraging than the results. Yet the points return has created pressure, and the home meeting with Hamburger SV is important for Ilzer’s group.
Preparation is limited. Hoffenheim have sent a club-record 18 players to national teams, leaving Ilzer without much of his senior squad to address the weaknesses identified in the opening weeks.
Most internationals will not return until early next week, with some arriving later. Ozan Kabak plays for Turkey on Monday, while Czech trio Vladimir Coufal, Adam Hlozek and Robin Hranac have fixtures on Tuesday.
Andrej Kramaric is with Croatia. Mats Rots is involved with the Netherlands Under-21s and Nathan De Cat with Belgium Under-21s. The coach will have only a small number of full training sessions before Hamburg visit.
The fixture list then accelerates. Hoffenheim face Hamburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen, Werder Bremen and Schalke in the Bundesliga before the next break.
Europa League ties against Besiktas and Lyon, plus the trip to Crystal Palace, are also scheduled. Holstein Kiel await away in the DFB-Pokal.
“That is exactly why we built a deeper squad,” sporting managing director Andreas Schicker said. “Of course, we need positive results now.”
