Overview
- Kickoff is Saturday at 15:30 at the PreZero Arena, which is sold out with 30,150 fans, including about 10,000 from Frankfurt.
- Both clubs opened with emphatic wins, as Hoffenheim beat Bayer Leverkusen 2–1 and Eintracht Frankfurt defeated Werder Bremen 4–1.
- Ilzer lauded Frankfurt’s recent team-building and noted their Champions League status, saying he expects a highly attractive match.
- Hoffenheim must adjust after Koki Machida’s ACL rupture, with recent signing Albian Hajdari considered as a defensive replacement.
- Midfielder Wouter Burger remains a doubt for the lineup, with a decision expected on matchday and Grischa Prömel or Umut Tohumcu in reserve.