Hamburger vs Hoffenheim preview - Gisdol wary of Hamburg threat

Posted Saturday, October 18, 2014 by PA

Hoffenheim coach Markus Gisdol fears that now is not the best time to be travelling to Hamburg.

The northerners picked up their first win of the season a fortnight ago when they defied the odds to beat Borussia Dortmund 1-0 at the Westfalenstadion.

"I would have preferred to have played Hamburg four or five weeks ago," Gisdol said.

"Now, the new signings have all integrated well and the team looks more rounded.

"It's clear to see that the new coach has got things moving. You can see a clear upwards trend."

His own side have been showing a similar trend all season with three wins and four draws from their first seven games putting them second behind Bayern Munich.

That is not to say that they should be expected to win against a side second from the foot of the Bundesliga table.

"Hoffenheim are never favourites in Hamburg," he said at a press conference.

Hamburg coach Josef Zinnbauer may beg to differ. His side's unexpected win in Dortmund may have relieved some of the tension, but that is already in the past.

"Beating Dortmund does not mean things are going to get easier for us now - we can expect a completely different game against Hoffenheim," he said.

"They deserve to be second because they are one of the best teams around for the way they turn defence into attack.

"What they are doing is no coincidence and how they are scoring their goals, but it's all planned."

Zinnbauer may bring Rafael van der Vaart back into his side this weekend, although he would not be drawn on the Dutchman's chances of starting.

"He's as likely to play as anybody else," Zinnbauer said of the club captain. "I haven't decided yet."

That may just be a bluff with Hoffenheim reportedly sending a drone to film a Hamburg training match this week, in which Van der Vaart played in the first team.