week 17 - match preview

Rutten expecting "tough game" in Hoffenheim

"The final game of the first half of the season is always very important because it sets the mood as you enter the winter break", explained coach Fred Rutten ahead of Sunday's visit to league leaders 1899 Hoffenheim.

"And we certainly aren't going there to see them off into the break with a good feeling. We want to get the most positive result possible. But that won't be easy", he said.

Hoffenheim's tremendous physical fitness, a powerful attacking threat that has seen them score 41 goals in 16 league matches and their fighting spirit on the pitch mean Ralf Rangnick's men represent a genuine challenge. "Hoffenheim are playing the best football at the moment and they fully deserve to top the table", continued Rutten.

He was reinforced in his opinion last week when Hoffenheim ran Bayern Munich really close. "They were very unlucky to lose because they were the better side in many respects", he said.

"Just because we're up against the form team at the moment doesn't mean we don't stand a chance of winning there", added general manager Andreas Müller. "That's why we shouldn't focus too much on Hoffenheim before the game", continued Rutten. "We're a good team as well. Clubs as big as Schalke 04 should look to play their own game first and foremost."
 
The Royal Blues will have to play really well if they are to get a result on Sunday, of that there is no doubt. "But I'm extremely confident we can do it", an upbeat Rutten concluded.