In-form Hoffenheim daring to end Borussia Dortmund's home run
Several superb summer additions and an ideal blend of experience and youth have helped Hoffenheim to gel under Christian Ilzer and race up the table thanks to a six-match unbeaten run, which they have every confidence of continuing at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday (kick-off: 5.30pm CET).
Great things in football often require time, and after navigating a rocky first 12 months in charge of Hoffenheim, Austrian coach Ilzer has his side racing into his second year at the helm.
Ilzer's anniversary came during the November international break with the side basking in a 3-1 home win over second-placed RB Leipzig, although the celebratory feeling was becoming familiar, as that was the Sinsheim club's fourth successive Bundesliga win. It made a welcome upswing in fortunes after they finished the 2024/25 season in 15th - three points clear of the relegation play-off position.
A thumping 3-0 success at home to Augsburg on Matchday 12 extended their unbeaten run to six matches to leave Hoffenheim level with pacesetters Bayern Munich as the most in-form side in the Bundesliga over the past six matchdays (W5, D1).
Watch: Hoffenheim extend unbeaten run with win over Augsburg
Hoffenheim's wonderful run can be attributed in no small part to the club's smart summer transfer strategy as several key acquisitions have allowed the side to sharpen up at both ends of the pitch.
Starting at the back, the experienced 30-something pair of Bernardo and Vladimír Coufal have provided a welcome layer of protection in front of captain and Germany international goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Having conceded exactly two goals per game last season (68 in 34 matches), Hoffenheim are now conceding at a rate of less than 1.5 per 90 minutes (17 in 12).
Bernardo, the battle-hardy Brazilian signed from relegated Bochum, has won more duels than any other player in the Bundesliga (153), while the bustling Coufal has covered more ground than any other player in the league (88.54 miles/ 142.5 kilometres).
Watch: Oliver Baumann honoured in recognition of 500th Bundesliga appearance
Hoffenheim have a superb shield in front of their defence too, despite Tom Bischof and Anton Stach departing for Bayern and Leeds United, respectively. Highly rated 21-year-old Leon Avdullahu (signed from Basel) has, like Coufal and Bernardo, featured in every league game, while Wouter Burger (Stoke City) has put in some meaty midfield displays alongside his three goals and three assists.
The well-oiled defensive and midfield lines are providing the perfect platform for Hoffenheim's attackers to shine. Fisnik Asllani, 23, has hit the ground running with five strikes after his successful season-long loan to Elversberg, while teenager Bazoumana Toure has chipped in with just as many goal involvements (two of his own and three assists) and tops the player table for most sprints in the division (317).
The net result is that Hoffenheim's scoring rate has ballooned from 1.35 goals per match last season (46 in 34) to over two per game so far (25 in 12).
Watch: The best of Fisnik Asllani
"You have to bring quiet players to Hoffenheim as the environment here is generally very quiet. You need players who want to take the next step. I ended up with the formula of wanting two-thirds of our players to be from the academy or top talents, and the other third to be pillars you can base a team around," Hoffenheim managing director for sport Andreas Schicker explained.
"The fact is we finally have a team that can play 'Christian Ilzer football'. That's hard-running, aggressive football - being the team to make the most intensive runs, cover the most ground and make the most fouls."
A seismic clash could be in store when Hoffenheim, who have their second-best points tally after 12 matches of a Bundesliga season and currently boast the best away record in the division, visit a Dortmund side unbeaten at home in the league since March.
Three points in Dortmund would take Hoffenheim above their opponents in the table and into the top four. Whisper it quietly, but at this rate, Ilzer could start his third year in charge with his side playing UEFA Champions League football for just the second time in the club's history.
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