Werder Bremen vs Hoffenheim preview - Gisdol sees improvement in defence

Posted Friday, August 29, 2014 by PA

Hoffenheim coach Markus Gisdol is happy with the progress his side are making defensively after starting the season with a 2-0 win over Augsburg, although he believes there is still a lot of work to be done.

The Sinsheim-based club conceded 70 goals last campaign and, while they may have scored 74, it was this defensive frailty which denied them the opportunity of qualifying for Europe.

That seemed to be rectified in last weekend's Bundesliga opener, but ahead of Saturday's trip to Werder Bremen, Gisdol has reserved judgement on whether his defensive strategy can be branded a success.

"We took a step forward during the second half of last season in terms of our balance and stability," he said at a press conference.

"Whether we have come any further now cannot be determined by just one clean sheet.

"We've got to wait until 10 games of the season have been played first."

His current thoughts are on how to prevent Bremen from picking up their first win of the season at the Weser Stadion.

"They're a very tough team to face," Gisdol said. "Maybe we are technically a bit stronger than they are, but it's going to come down to whether we manage to resist them in order to play our own game.

"We're going to have to give it everything if we want to win there."

Werder coach Robin Dutt indirectly admitted that Hoffenheim are a step ahead of them, sharing Gisdol's views that anything less than 100 per cent will not suffice.

"They are doing a great deal given their means and you've got to admit it - they do play very good football," said the former Freiburg and Leverkusen coach.

"We're going to have to give it our very best and for sure it's going to be a tough job."

Hoffenheim are still without the injured Pirmin Schwegler while there is a "big question mark" over the involvement of Jin-Su Kim, according to Gisdol. Forward Kevin Volland is also a doubt.