Matarazzo provides squad updates, re-issues challenge to team

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim trainer Pellegrino Matarazzo remained unsparing in his criticism of his team ahead of a tough test this coming weekend against Gladbach at his Thursday presser. 

In addition to commenting on news involving young striker Maximilian Beier at his Thursday presser, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim trainer Pellegrino Matarazzo used the occasion of his latest media round to lay into his team’s recent underperforming. The American gaffer remained especially displeased with his squad after they were unable to secure three points last Sunday against Mainz despite the fact that he employed a triple substitution at the half.

“The key phrase of the season is that we need to go full throttle,” Matarazzo noted, “These are important games with respect to our goals. We need a certain lust to max ourselves out in every last training session and every last match. Anything less isn’t good enough.”

“I wasn’t satisfied and the lads weren’t satisfied with the last result,” the TSG trainer continued, “The dissatisfaction needs to transfer from the head to one’s whole body. Obviously, they didn’t get the message last week. Either they didn’t understand what it was or the team just connect with energy.”

Matarazzo did declare himself slightly more satisfied with the “energy levels” in training this week, though personnel woes will potentially leave him shorthanded against a very good Gladbach team this weekend. In addition to missing Grischa Prömel on a accumulated yellow suspension, Matarazzo revealed that both his preferred midfield pincers were struggling with illness.

Florian Grillitsch have both been out sick this week. The revolving door that has been Matarazzo’s back-three still has consistency issues. Matarazzo revealed that he brought John Anthony Brooks back from the bench last week due to the belief that the U.S. international matched up well with FSV striker Ludovic Ajorque in the air.

Brooks may very well take a back-seat again against BMG striker Tomas Cvancara. In such a case, Ozan Kabak, Kevin Akpoguma, and Ozan Kabak will once again form the back-three. Matarazzo did laud Brooks’ performances in training in recent weeks, saying that the American had been a “very present, strong leader.”

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