Preview: Bundesliga resumes after international break

The backdrop

Eintracht return to Bundesliga action after the international break with a game against TSG Hoffenheim, who have not only collected 15 points from their opening seven league games – their best-ever haul at this stage of a top-flight campaign – but have also won four of their last five meetings with the Eagles.  “They are strong opponents who put together a lot of good attacking moves in their 3-5-2 system,” said Eagles head coach Dino Toppmöller. They try to play out from the back – it’s going to be an interesting challenge. We’ll try to win there but it’s going to be a tight game because both teams like to have the ball.”

Defender Tuta added: “We will give our all in our upcoming games against Hoffenheim and Dortmund and try to pick up something tangible.”

Defensively solid

With only five goals conceded so far, Eintracht currently boast the best defensive record in the division ahead of Bayern Munich, Leverkusen and Leipzig (six goals conceded). However, they have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 23 away league games, their last shut-out coming at Leipzig in March 2022.

Clinical from the spot

Andrej Kramaric replaced Ivica Olic as the highest-scoring Croatian in Bundesliga history in January 2021, two years after becoming Hoffenheim’s record Bundesliga scorer with 47 goals. The 32-year-old, who has since increased his top-flight tally to 104, has netted four league goals so far this term – one fewer than his 21-year-old team-mate Maximilian Beier. Three of Kramaric’s four efforts have come from the penalty spot.