Hoffenheim and Cologne would have been the last ones on the pitch this Bundesliga weekend anyway, now the game could be pushed back even further.
Zuzenhausen (dpa / lsw) - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim is on hold before their next game. After the next opponent 1. FC Köln had to play again in the Conference League on Friday because of the canceled fog game in the Czech Republic, everything looks like Sunday's game between Cologne and Kraichgau will be postponed. Either way, the calmly reacting coach André Breitenreiter wants to prepare his team "in the best possible way" for the next challenge.
In any case, Hoffenheim are open to a postponement. "We are always cooperative and have absolute understanding of the situation in Cologne," said Breitenreiter at a TSG press conference on Friday. After the encounter at 1. FC Slovácko on Thursday evening, which lasted only a few minutes, Cologne head coach Steffen Baumgart campaigned for the game planned for Sunday (7.30 p.m. / DAZN) to be postponed. He hopes to hold the event on Monday.
"Cologne got into an emergency situation through no fault of its own," explained Breitenreiter, but he could not say anything about a new date. Those responsible for the two clubs are in exchange, also with the German Football League (DFL). "We all want the competition to be fair."
In any case, Hoffenheim can extend its best existing series against a league rival: TSG has won all of the last eight games against the Geißbock team, scored 26 goals and has been unbeaten in twelve matches against Cologne. Breitenreiter doesn't put much stock in such numbers, he simply wants to "continue on our path" with his team and "appear with conviction."
The 0:2 against FC Bayern Munich last Saturday shouldn't have thrown Hoffenheim off the track, especially since the industry leader didn't allow a goal chance a few days later in the 3:0 at FC Barcelona. "I think we were much better there, without comparing ourselves to Barcelona," said Breitenreiter.
In Cologne, the 49-year-old can rely on his established defense again, as Kevin Vogt is likely to return to the back three after his yellow card suspension. The concerns of the European Cup candidate are more in the attack: The permanently injured Ihlas Bebou should return to the training ground in December at the earliest. Munas Dabbur is out for the remaining four games before the World Cup break (after Cologne against RB Leipzig, at Eintracht Frankfurt and against VfL Wolfsburg). According to Breitenreiter, a decision will be made these days whether he needs to be operated on the injured shoulder.
Andrej Kramaric could be in the starting XI in Cologne after the Croatian striker only came as a joker after suffering an ankle problem against Bayern Munich. It is quite possible that TSG will step up their offensive during the winter break given the absences of Bebou and Dabbur. "We will certainly take a close look - without falling into actionism," said Breitenreiter.
Incidentally, the 49-year-old and his Cologne colleague played together at VfL Wolfsburg from summer 1998 to autumn 1999, but the two don't have much in common. "That was so many years ago, we didn't have regular contact. Everyone went their own way."
