Matchday news #B04TSG: Bundesliga season kicks off at BayArena

#B04TSG: Match facts

Bayer 04 are on an excellent run against Hoffenheim with wins in the last five meetings. The Werkself have also started the season with victory in each of the last two years. It all bodes well for today’s opening fixture, especially with Patrik Schick in the team. The Czech striker has scored six times against Hoffenheim – there’s no other Bundesliga team he’s got more against.

Focus on Hoffenheim

After the disappointment of a 15th-place finish last season, Hoffenheim are looking for much better this term. Managing director for sport Andreas Schicker has trimmed their oversized squad and also brought in reinforcements. New arrivals Koki Machida (Union Saint-Gilloise) and Vladimir Coufal (West Ham United) are intended to help shore up the defence, while Tim Lemperle (Köln) and Fisnik Asllani (returning from loan at Elversberg) will bolster the attack alongside Andrej Kramaric and Max Moerstedt. TSG want to play quick, attacking football under Christian Ilzer, as they demonstrated in their 4-0 DFB Pokal win over Hansa Rostock of the 3. Liga last weekend. Learn more about our opponents HERE.

Siebert in charge

The German FA (DFB) have appointed Daniel Siebert to oversee this match at the BayArena. The 41-year-old has previously taken charge of 27 Bundesliga and two cup fixtures involving the Werkself (W11, D10, L8). The first of those was actually against Hoffenheim 11 years ago. His assistants are Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn. The fourth official is Daniel Schlager and the VAR is Benjamin Cortus.