In the DFB Cup, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has never made it past the quarter-finals. The Bundesliga club's new coach would like to change that this season. At the start we go to the football province of Rödinghausen.
Zuzenhausen (dpa / lsw) - André Breitenreiter does not have sleepless nights before his competitive debut as coach of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. "I haven't just been a coach since yesterday, I've been there for a long time, so I sleep well," said the 48-year-old before the first round match in the DFB Cup at fourth division SV Rödinghausen on Sunday (3:31 p.m. / Sky) and added: " I'm really looking forward to this first game. Everyone is raring to go."
Breitenreiter expects nothing more and nothing less than a win from his team in East Westphalia. "We have the greatest respect for Rödinghausen. But we are the Bundesliga club and it is our duty to advance to the next round," he emphasized on Friday. The failures of national player David Raum (calf), Dennis Geiger (infection), Ihlas Bebou and Ermin Bicakcic (both knees) would not change that. Newcomer Ozan Kabak is not yet an option for the starting XI. "He will definitely take part, but first sit on the bench," announced Breitenreiter.
Breitenreiter doesn't waste a thought on a bankruptcy of TSG like ten years ago, when the Bundesliga soccer club was eliminated after an embarrassing 0:4 at the then regional league club Berliner AK. "I don't concern myself with it. We have prepared very intensively and we will approach the game with the necessary focus. It is clear that we have to give 100 percent from the start in order not to give the opponent any hope," he said.
The soccer coach, who moved from the Swiss champions FC Zurich to the tranquil Kraichgau in the summer, finally wants to have a successful cup season with his new club. "TSG still has room for improvement," said Breitenreiter. Because TSG has never gone beyond the quarter-finals. "We have a nice task ahead of us that we're taking on. I hope we can do better this year." Breitenreiter knows from his own experience how it works. After all, he won the cup as a player with Hannover 96 in 1992. "These are special moments," said the TSG coach.
But first we go to the football province of Rödinghausen. "I know the club, which has developed tremendously in recent years. It's a team with good quality," said Breitenreiter. He once even played against SV coach Carsten Rump. "We fought hot duels there," reported the TSG coach. We also met a few times privately. "He's a really good motivator and will set up his team well. We mustn't allow ourselves to be surprised," warned Breitenreiter.
