Football Season Guide

Hoffenheim were much improved under Pellegrino Matarazzo last season, qualifying for Europe for only the fourth time in their history. It wasn’t all plain sailing for the boys in blue after an alarming dip mid-season saw them drop down the table. They eventually regained their form and finished a more than respectable seventh. Speculation surrounding Matarazzo’s future has not helped in preparing for the new campaign with the Italian/American linked with the vacant USA manager’s job. He has since committed his future to Hoffenheim, but his head may have been turned slightly. The other difficulty for Hoffenheim this season will be to manage the extra games in Europe with a rather limited squad. There is still time to bring in more recruits but so far only versatile midfielder Alexander Prass has joined from Austrian side Sturm Graz. In addition to this, young talent Maximilian Beier has left for Borussia Dortmund after he came of age last season. This is a blow to the attack, especially with club legend Kramaric not getting any younger and Weghorst returning to Burnley after his loan spell. Larsen, Justvan, and Szalai could boost the squad after returning from loans, but it is more in hope than expectation that these players will succeed after not being able to hold down a regular place in the side previously. There is still quality in the ranks, especially in midfield areas but improvements will need to be made elsewhere. Hoffenheim conceded 66 times in the league last season and you fear they could be vulnerable defensively again this time around.