Change of coach at TSG Hoffenheim - Rose faces a difficult task

For RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose, the way out of the results crisis and the task at TSG Hoffenheim has become considerably more difficult due to the change of coach. "Mechanisms always kick in as a result of something like this. Maybe people listen differently, one player or another senses an opportunity, senses are sharpened," said Rose ahead of the game in Hoffenheim on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky). The Kraichgau side had introduced Christian Ilzer as their new coach during the week.

Leipzig had failed to win three games in a row before the international break and put in weak performances in the defeats in Dortmund and Glasgow. Hoffenheim should now be a step out of the crisis. Rose will benefit from the fact that he knows Ilzer, who joined from Sturm Graz, from his time in Austria. "His approach is proactive, intense. Intensity is paramount," said the 48-year-old.

Rose with three wins against Ilzer

The record speaks for Rose. He met Wolfsberger AC, coached by Ilzer, four times with Salzburg, with Rose winning three times and Ilzer once. "I know the principles Christian works with," said Rose. He assumes that he will change Hoffenheim's basic formation to defend with a back four instead of a back three.

First and foremost, however, the coach must bring the RB principles back into the team after the last few games. Parts of the international break were used for this. "We looked at data, watched games," said Rose. "We are sometimes extremely imprecise in the direction of the opponent's box. We lack the final pass, shots on goal are often blocked. We want to become clearer there."

In terms of personnel, the situation has not improved. In Yussuf Poulsen and Eljif Elmas, two experienced professionals are out for several weeks. Castello Lukeba and Lutsharel Geertruida, on the other hand, are back in action and expand the options for the defense.