1899 Hoffenheim - Bor. M'Gladbach

Very important match for 1899 Hoffenheim as with a win they can get some self confidence and hope for a better future back. They played one of the weakest first half of the season since they are in 1.BL. Sure, if you compare the last years something is very interesting here. Their first year in 1.BL they were absolutely unknown and they played really great and good soccer and also were very successful but after Rangnick left the club as coach they are on an absolutely downtrend and season after season they are weaker. Many think they underperformed so far but I think the process for this was many years ago. They are absolutely on the right place at the moment, and if they continue like this, maybe they can reach the aim and stay in 1.BL but if they do not change a lot for next season they are for sure relegated. Of course, many problems there and also the huge pressure on the team because of former Coach Babbel spoke from an international place and maybe this is a bit to high for them. They should go their way and go step after step to establish them in 1.BL. Some changes are done now as with Kurz a new coach took over and he said that he made some changes. First one was that keeper Wiese is not longer their captain and former man Beck and Salihovic got this job. As the team showed many weak points manager Müller search for new players. Some are there but only young ones who maybe can help not immediately. And on the other side they have to replace their imp. man on the sixer position Rudy who is out longer. Also with Schipplock and Schröck they miss two other guys and maybe Compper can leave the club as he was one of the guys who made a lot of mistakes in defensive and allow with many goals.

Uff, what a start from Gladbach, they got nothing at beginning of the season but coach Favre managed it and he brought his team back on track and they were rolling in the end. They are close to the international places and if they continue like the last matches 2012 they are on a good way and they can reach it again. They got some players back from injury as with de Jong, Daems and Herrmann were imp. players not available in some matches but now, fully fit and coach Favre can choose from a lot. The defensive was not always such good as last season but with young keeper ter Stegen who had a very weak period were one of the important points here. He is back and with huge self confidence as he made a really great match against Bayern Munich in the end of 2012. This showed his strength and talent very well. Defensive row with Stranzl, Dominguez, Jantschke and Wendt work additional better that they will be more able to hold the pressure away from their goal. But one of the important change what Favre made in the first half of the season where they are winless and absolutely away from their great form was that he count on old guy Marx, since he is back on the double six Gladbach do better and better. Gladbach can bring almost their best available eleven on the pitch today.

Overall it would be very interesting to see how Hoffenheim can come out after the break with their new coach and what tactic Kurz has choose. I do not think that all is perfect at beginning and therefore Gladbach can hurt them maybe as they are much more balanced and they know all their processes better as they are working together longer.