Ilzer calls Hoffenheim a “dangerous, highly motivated underdog” ahead of Dortmund trip

Hoffenheim are looking to cause an upset as they make the away trip to Borussia Dortmund this weekend.

TSG Hoffenheim head coach Christian Ilzer says his side will travel to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday as a “dangerous, highly motivated underdog,” and believes the meeting at Signal Iduna Park carries genuine Topspiel character given the respective form of both teams.

“Dortmund at home are always favourites – maybe only not against Bayern,” said the Austrian, speaking at his Friday press conference. “But this time, because of the league table and our form curve, it’s a top game. And we’ve earned that.”

Hoffenheim arrive as one of the Bundesliga’s form teams, with four wins and a draw picked up in their last five league matches. Ilzer stressed that the run has not altered the group’s mentality.

“Success makes people sluggish, but not us. No one in this team rests on anything. We have a top training level every day. This group wouldn’t accept anything else.”

Ilzer insisted that Dortmund’s midweek DFB-Pokal exit has no bearing on Sunday’s match. Instead, he pointed to BVB’s strong league run of three wins and two draws: “The loss in the cup won’t matter,” noted Ilzer. 

“It will have annoyed them, just like our exit at St. Pauli annoyed us. They were the better team against Leverkusen. I don’t believe a defeat gives us any advantage or disadvantage. They’ve had five days to prepare properly for us.”

There was also encouragement regarding Hoffenheim’s record signing, Adam Hlozek, who is continuing to work toward full integration after a long spell on the sidelines due to a fracture in his right foot.

“Adam is another week further along in training,” Ilzer confirmed. “Our goal is to have him fully reintegrated by Christmas. Maybe he’s already an option as a Joker on Saturday.

Sitting three points behind Sunday’s hosts, a Hoffenheim win would see Ilzer’s side leapfrog BVB and climb into the top four.