Hoffenheim vs Paderborn preview - Gisdol offers honest assessment

Posted Friday, October 24, 2014 by PA

Hoffenheim coach Markus Gisdol insists the Bundesliga table is not a true reflection of his side's current form, although he actually thinks they are higher than they should be.

While coaches often try to understate their positions, Gisdol delivered an overstatement at the press conference ahead of his side's clash with promoted Paderborn on Saturday, suggesting their unbeaten start to the season is rather fortunate.

"Of course we're delighted to be third, but we're not as stable as one or two people might think," he said.

"Many of our games were tight and we could easily have lost some of them.

"The Bundesliga is so tight that you can easily lose 3-0 to the side at the bottom of the table."

Paderborn are not that side, even if many expected them to be rooted to the foot of the table in their first year in Germany's top flight.

According to Gisdol, the East Westphalians attempted to downplay their chances this season, but he did not fall for it.

"Before the season, Paderborn were very clever in making up a fairytale that they are the biggest outsiders the Bundesliga has ever seen," he said.

"As we've seen in the meantime, it really has proven to be a fairytale.

"Paderborn have a clear plan, which is playing their football with lots of self-confidence and they fully deserve to be where they are, with 12 points.

"We're going to need a top performance and the total support from our fans if we are to survive this Saturday.

"Big points are at stake in this game and nobody who comes to the stadium should expect it to be easy."

Those fans have not seen Hoffenheim lose at home yet this season with two wins and two draws from their four games at the Rhein-Neckar Arena so far this term.

That is the result of an improved defence, according to Paderborn coach Andre Breitenreiter.

"They've improved a lot, are conceding far fewer goals compared to last year while at the same time not reducing the threat they pose in attack," he said on his club's website.

"We've got to make sure we avoid making any simple mistakes."