TSG Hoffenheim seems to be making good progress towards more stability and reliability. And that with variable defences.
There have always been phases under coach Sebastian Hoeneß when the TSG coach relied more on a four-man defence and then again on a three-man defence. “I don’t see it dogmatically,” the 39-year-old always assured, acting rather pragmatically. This also applies to the staffing of the two variants. This can be seen in the ten games so far this season. TSG has operated with only two centre-backs six times. Twice they were Kevin Vogt and Stefan Posch, four times Vogt and Chris Richards.
Hoeneß initially only installed a three-man line on the third matchday (2:3 in Dortmund) and gave Posch and Vogt Kevin Akpoguma alongside them. In the most recent three games, Hoeneß again relied on three centre-backs. Now, however, Florian Grillitsch is in charge of the organisation and build-up of play, with compatriot Posch firmly at his side on the right, while Akpoguma, Richards and Vogt alternate on the left. “This time it was the right formation,” Hoeneß stated with satisfaction on Friday after the 2-0 win against Hertha BSC. But he immediately pointed out that nothing is set in stone: “It always depends on training performance, physical condition, the opponent, what do we need for the game? And it’s also important next week to recommend ourselves for the game in Bochum through training performance. “
“I definitely see a stabilisation. “
Lately, at least at home, the consistency and reliability Hoeneß so badly wants after his first season at Hoffenheim, which was marred by many disruptive factors, has begun to show. “I definitely see a stabilisation,” says Hoeneß, including in the cup, “we have now won four games in a row at home and scored 15:2 goals. It’s going in the right direction. It’s a process, that’s what I always emphasise.” The last time TSG had two home victories in a row, such as the recent ones against Cologne (5-0) and now Berlin, was two years ago against Schalke (2-0) and Paderborn (3-0). “We have played to nil quite often, if I compare that with last season,” said Hoeneß. After all, the Kraichgauer have not conceded a goal in four of the ten games so far this season. In the previous season, it took until matchday 16 for them to finally keep a clean sheet at the back.
The aim now is to continue this trend, but also to improve the poor away record (4 out of 15 points). “But I’m not going to fall into euphoria now,” assures Hoeneß, “we will have to continue this process and want to improve before the international break in Bochum.” Let’s see with which defensive formation and in which line-up.
