Hoffenheim chief Schicker calls for unity amid crisis

TSG Hoffenheim’s poor form continued on Saturday as the Sinsheim-based side suffered their third consecutive defeat, losing 2-3 at home to Hamburger SV.

The defeat leaves Hoffenheim in the relegation zone, sitting 17th in the table with just three points from five matches.

Speaking after the game, Hoffenheim sporting managing director Andreas Schicker reflected on the club’s difficult spell.

“It’s certainly a difficult period. It’s absolutely vital that we stick together as a united team. I definitely feel that way too," Schicker said in post-match comments published on TSG Hoffenheim’s official website.

"The situation is on everyone’s mind and gives everyone pause for thought, but nobody here is pointing the finger at anyone else. We have to get through this together. That’s the key. It’s okay to question things – in fact, you have to question them – because otherwise you wouldn’t end up in this situation. But we won’t deviate from our fundamental approach. Instead, we’ll carry on together.

"Things are coming thick and fast now, with a match every three or four days. We need to learn from this match and do better on Thursday. We’re currently being severely punished and we’re just struggling to defend our own goal. This is certainly the main area we need to focus on – ensuring we don’t concede these cheap goals. But it’s not as if we’re doing everything badly; there were plenty of good things on show. We need to build on that. Then I’m convinced that we’ll come through this decidedly difficult spell.”

Hoffenheim will be determined to return to winning ways when they face Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday.