Niko Kovac held the press conference ahead of Hoffenheim's Bundesliga home match against Borussia Dortmund. The manager provided an update on his squad situation and outlined his game plan for the fixture on Saturday, September 5.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim enters the second matchday following a loss in their opener. The club currently sits in 12th place in the Bundesliga table with 0 points from one game. Their record shows 0 wins, 0 draws, and 1 loss with a goal difference of 2 scored and 3 conceded. This leaves them three points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Niko Kovac briefed the media on the state of his squad. "Ahead of the match, head coach Niko Kovac, as usual, provided an update on his team's squad situation and offered a preview of how he plans to approach the game," said Kovac. The focus was on player availability after the first matchday. Specific names of injured or suspended players were not detailed in the summary, but Kovac's comments suggest potential adjustments. The final lineup will also depend on form in recent training sessions.
For detailed information on the availability of all players, refer to our current injuries page. Preparing for the strong opponent from Dortmund requires optimal staffing in all positions.
Kovac sketched his strategic approach for the duel with Borussia Dortmund. The opponent started the season with a win and sits in 5th place. Therefore, TSG must be defensively solid and use their own strengths in possession and transition moments. The two goals scored on the opening matchday are a positive sign for the offensive work.
The tactical setup will aim to exploit BVB's weaknesses and try to apply pressure early. A win would be important to move up the table and close the gap to the top half. The full season schedule with all dates can be viewed on our fixtures page.
The match on the second matchday holds significant importance for the rest of the season planning. An early losing streak can dampen morale, while points against a direct competitor for European spots are valuable both for confidence and the standings. TSG has already conceded three goals, identifying the defense as an area for improvement.
The team aims to impress in front of their home fans and reverse the negative trends from the first round. The clear focus is to put the first season defeat behind them and enter the international break with a positive result. The current standings show the tight competition in the Bundesliga's mid-table.
Following the press conference, the final training sessions before the home game are underway. Preparations are in full swing to fully communicate Kovac's plans to the players. The next competitive fixture is the Bundesliga home match against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
