Baumann calls for détente between TSG and its fans: "We're the ones suffering."
The 34-year-old skipper declined to discuss some clearly unfriendly interactions between the team and the FanKurve after the full-time whistle, but did acknowledge that times in Sinsheim were "the craziest" of his career.
| Murual of Oliver Baumann at the PreZero Arena | ACFlo CC BY-SA 4.0 |
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim's second home fixture of the season - just like the first - featured widespread protests and atmosphere boycotts. Club supporters remain disappointed with the sacking of sporting director Alexander Rosen late this summer and - after a huge €60 million splurge to conclude the transfer window - are concerned that their club has not been returned to the 50+1 model as club patron Dietmar Hopp promised.
Certain sections of the PreZero Arena Fan Kurve are voluntarily refraining from cheering. In response to threats and general security concerns, the club itself is shutting down other decks. The mood of mutual distrust was only worsened this week when rumors began cropping up that the TSG administrative team are actively working to replace trainer Pellegrino Matatrazzo with Sandro Wagner over the winter break.
Matarazzo enjoys some popularity with the Sinsheimer fan scene for reportedly turning down a chance to coach the USMNT despite the shaky and shady times with his current club. The American head-coach conducted a combative interview with Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung this week, arguing that the work of him and his players had gone "completely unappreciated".
Off-pitch matters certainly aren't helping Hoffenheim's on-pitch performance. After edging out newly promoted Holstein Kiel on opening day, Matarazzo's team lost to their fellow German Europa League entrants Eintracht Frankfurt on match-day two. The latest result hardly leaves the Badeners looking as if they can contest a tough Europa League schedule this autumn.
Just as he was at the beginning of the suspicious times at Hoffenheim, squad captain Oliver Baumann was tasked with commenting on the situation. The 24-year-old skipper - in his post-match interview with Sky Germany - first tried to evade the subject when asked about some confrontations between the FanKurve and the team after the full-time whistle.
“It was about the current situation, but I won't comment on that on TV," Baumann said before adding, "At some point, a solution has to be found, because in the end, we are the ones who suffer. We don't have the loudest crowd anyway."
"[Crowd support] fundamentally helps," Baumann continued, "It produces energy. One notices it and feels it. There are plenty of terraces from which we could use it. It's not banned. As I said earlier, I would like to see a solution."
"We focus on the game, but of course we notice the rest," Baumann concluded, "This is the craziest [I've experienced in my career]. I'm convinced we'll find a way through this too. We'd be happy to move forward."
