Hoffenheim's Europa League group stage schedule has been confirmed. TSG will play eight matches, starting at home against OFI Crete on 17 September at 18:45.
The full fixture list for the German clubs was released on Tuesday. For Hoffenheim, the opening game is followed by several tough tests. Besiktas Istanbul visit on 15 October at 21:00. Just a week later, on 22 October, French giants Olympique Lyon come to town, also with a 21:00 kickoff.
Further fixtures in November and December
The English challenge arrives on 5 November when Crystal Palace play at 18:45. Late November brings an away trip to Austrian side Sturm Graz on the 26th. Hoffenheim round off the group stage with two December fixtures: they host RSC Anderlecht on 10 December at 18:45, before the return leg at Ferencvaros Budapest on 28 January. Sandwiched between is the home game against Olympiakos Piraeus on 21 January.
Pellegrino Matarazzo's side must balance these European commitments with their Bundesliga duties. They currently sit 13th in the league table with three points from three games, having won one and lost two. A recent 2-1 home victory over VfB Stuttgart last weekend provided a boost, with Adam Hložek scoring twice to become the team's top scorer this season with two goals.
Next up is a Bundesliga away match against 15th-placed SC Paderborn 07 this Sunday. All upcoming fixtures, including the Europa League games, can be found on our fixtures page. The first-team squad overview is available at squad. The European curtain-raiser against OFI Crete on 17 September at 18:45 is the next major challenge.
This story first appeared at Joyn
