Hoffenheim vs Koln preview - Modeste: Hoffenheim still on track

Hoffenheim's first defeat of the season is not going to knock them off track, according to forward Anthony Modeste.

The Sinsheim-based club were beaten by Borussia Monchengladbach to lose their unbeaten record in the 10th round of matches, and now they will prepare to start another lengthy unbeaten streak when they host Cologne with Modeste maintaining a positive outlook.

"You can see that we're a step further forwards than we were last season, but there is still lots of room for improvement," he said.

"In general, a defeat does hurt you, but it does still have some small positives about it.

"Talk about our unbeaten record has now ended so that does at least let us focus solely on our work again."

Modeste has scored four goals in seven games so far this season and admits he is particularly enjoying his football at present.

"I'm in good form because I'm training well and I'm in my footballing prime," he said on his club's website.

"The coach is right behind me and I give everything to help the team out there on the field.

"That starts with every training session. I like to prove myself and I like the competition for places."

Modeste is in for a particularly difficult afternoon this Saturday if the Bundesliga table is anything to go by.

"I think the table says it all," said Hoffenheim coach Markus Gisdol. "Cologne are very strong defensively, but they have had problems in attack so far."

Cologne have conceded eight goals this season - only Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach have let in fewer - yet with only seven goals scored, only one club - Hamburg - has a blunter attack.

That is not to say they have no hope in Hoffenheim.

"We can play a positive game and we can get points," insisted their coach Peter Stoger at a pre-match press conference.

Stoger will be without the injured Marcel Risse.