Hoffenheim without key player Avdullahu in Leipzig

Without Leon Avdullahu, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will have to fight for their Champions League place in the Bundesliga top match at RB Leipzig. As the Kraichgau club announced, the Kosovo international suffered a muscle injury in the adductor area. According to initial reports, the defensive midfielder will miss several weeks and therefore also his country's upcoming World Cup play-off semi-final against Slovakia next week.

"This is a serious loss because he plays a very central role in the balance and build-up play, as well as in defense. It's a key position," said coach Christian Ilzer ahead of the game in Saxony on Friday evening (20:30/Sky). Accordingly, he said, he had been thinking hard during the week to find solutions. One could be Albian Hajdari, who has certainly offered himself in training. But Wouter Burger or Grischa Prömel are also alternatives.

In Leipzig, Hoffenheim want to hold on to third place. The Saxons, on the other hand, are waiting to challenge the Kraichgauers for third place with a win. A win would put TSG six points between themselves and their immediate rivals, while a defeat would leave them level on points. It is no coincidence that Ilzer is talking about an important game in the battle for a Champions League place.

Last and only win in Leipzig eight years ago

The starting position is clear. "A difficult task awaits us. We have a direct rival in front of us and are therefore completely focused on this single game. Leipzig are a top team, but we're going into the game with a broad chest and confidence in our strengths," said the Austrian. The state of mind is a very important point for this.

With a win, Hoffenheim could not only consolidate their third place, but also polish up their miserable record in Leipzig. TSG have only won one of their eleven previous visits - a 5-2 victory in April 2018. "We make no distinction between home and away. We simply have to prepare for the opponent in the best possible way. We have to go into this away game with good conviction, good self-confidence and a certain looseness," said Ilzer.