…the personnel situation: "Florian Grillitsch's involvement is still doubtful. Håvard Nordtveit, Diadie Samassékou, Ishak Belfodil and Steven Zuber are definitely out. As for Dennis Geiger, I'm expecting him to be fit."
…this week of training: "The week's gone well. All of the players are back as of today. We have two days of preparation for Schalke. For us, it's a good thing we're not playing until Sunday. It gives us more time."
…Andre Kramarić: "Andrej is fit again and will be in the squad. There's a chance that he'll be in the starting XI but that's not normally the done thing after an injury. He's one of the best players who's ever played for TSG. He's produced some very good performances over the course of the past few years. Every coach wants to have a player like him in their team."
…Sunday's match: "I'm expecting an open game. Both teams like to get forward. Schalke try to attack high up the pitch. They have a clear system. You can see from the table they're doing well. There'll be spaces for both sides."
…the performance in Munich: "I'd said before the match in Munich that the lads were playing well. Of course, it's important for them to get their reward. We want to build on the belief that gave us and get a result against Schalke."
How are TSG perceived in the Netherlands?
"When I came to Hoffenheim the first time, it was a very special club. Everyone was talking about what Dietmar Hopp had built here. Over the course of the past few years, the club has developed even further and that is being recognised in the Netherlands too. There, the development is regarded in a very positive light."
Ahead of the 23rd meeting between the teams on Sunday, the head-to-head record is even with eight wins apiece and six draws. However, Hoffenheim have lost only one of their last six matches against the men from Gelsenkirchen.
FC Schalke 04 are currently on a five-match unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga. In fact, their only defeat this season to date came on Matchday 2 as they were beaten 3-0 by FC Bayern Munich. Coach David Wagner's side currently occupy sixth spot in the table with 14 points.
