Hoffenheim has been waiting for a Bundesliga win for 13 games, the last six games are lost, the patron doesn't really want to anymore and the new coach only spreads purposeful optimism. After the bankruptcy in Mainz, the lights are slowly going out in the Kraichgau. Is there still hope?
The fans had just given free rein to their frustration about the club's negative record when the beaten professionals at TSG Hoffenheim finally called out "red alert". Finally it had to get into people's heads "that there is a lot at stake" and that the situation was "extremely serious," scolded Christoph Baumgartner. Because the Kraichgauer have not only been in free fall towards league two since the 0: 1 (0: 1) at FSV Mainz 05.
Goalkeepers Oliver Baumann and Baumgartner had previously discussed with the supporters for minutes, who said goodbye to their stars with "We're fed up" calls. "If the fans say Mainz want more, then there must be something to it," said Baumgartner, who was desperately trying to rouse his colleagues after the disappointing performance. You have to "be careful. Everyone has to be aware of the situation."
Because the crisis is getting worse, the warnings are increasing - and the bare numbers speak a devastating language. 13 Bundesliga games without a win, an inglorious record. Six league bankruptcies in a row. 16th place, meanwhile tied with the new tail light VfL Bochum. The effect of the change in the coaching bench to Pellegrino Matarazzo fizzled out completely. The record of the new? Four games, zero points.
Even before the game, sports director Alexander Rosen had increased the pressure, especially on the players. Anyone who negates and does not accept the situation is out of place, he said in a Sky interview: "We have to accept, take responsibility and get out of the role of victim." That didn't work in Mainz. Anew.
Hoffenheim lacked a goal threat, tough duels and the necessary intensity against stubborn Mainz, who continued their run thanks to Leandro Barreiro (33rd). "It always hurts. It's important that you process it and get back up," said Matarazzo, who started February as a supposed savior with relegation battle experience from Stuttgart times, but has not yet been able to meet expectations.
So there is currently no sign of calm in the Kraichgau. Another sporting setback followed the fuss about patron Dietmar Hopp, who will return his majority voting rights in the professional department to the parent club. Matarazzo was confident, but his words sounded more like optimism.
Andre Breitenreiter's successor said he had recognized a "very clear pattern", the weakness of the opponent's standards, for example. Among other things, he "already has a few ideas that could work well". Matarazzo left open what those are, although he also knows that time is of the essence. Because: "We can't rely on keeping the class with 19 points."
