For Markus Weinzierl, on Tuesday morning, the first week of training began in which the football tutor and his coaching-staff had the opportunity to work with the complete squad. Both Dennis Aogo and Marc Oliver Kempf were back from their thigh muscle-sinew injuries and initially in training with their colleagues again in the Robert-Schlienz-Stadion. Following a warm-up programme, including some passing practice, the VfB duo then went on to work individually. Coach Markus Weinzierl had to make do without Daniel Didavi (Achilles tendon problem), Anastasios Donis (muscle-bundle tear), Borna Sosa (beginnings of a stress fracture to the upper public-bone) and Alexander Meyer (partial tear to the frontal cruciate ligament).
On Saturday evening (18:30 CET), captain Christian Gentner & Co. face TSG Hoffenheim in the Baden-Württemberg regional-clash. Ten years ago, VfB and TSG locked horns in the Bundesliga for the first time. From the 18 Bundesliga meetings between the two clubs since then, VfB have won eight, drew five and suffered defeat on five occasions. In Hoffenheim, VfB have an evenly-balanced tally of three wins, three draws and three defeats.
Mario Gomez has particularly fond memories of prior meetings with the side from the Kraichgau region. In the 2-0 home, win when the sides last met on matchday 33 of the previous season, the 33-year-old netted a brace in May and has notched up four goals against TSG in the shirt with the infamous hoop. For Andreas Beck, it will be a reunion with a former employer. The right full-back made 13 appearances for TSG against VfB. Within the Cannstatt Boys ranks, Christian Gentner holds the VfB record of 13 appearances against Hoffenheim.