TSG coach Ilzer after late equalizer: "It hurts"

On matchday four of the UEFA Europa League, TSG Hoffenheim missed out on a second consecutive victory away at Crystal Palace.

Following their first win of the EL season against Olympique Lyon, they were held to a 1-1 draw against the "Eagles" despite playing with a one-man advantage (to the match report>>>). Ex-Frankfurt player Daichi Kamada canceled out Alexander Prass' opener in stoppage time (90+1.).

"In the end, the final minutes prevented what would have been an almost perfect evening for us," TSG head coach Christian Ilzer summarized in his post-match interview with "Sky".

"We were on the verge of beating a Premier League team. It hurts that we aren't taking the victory home. We have to work on getting it over the finish line," added the former Sturm coach.

"Should be proud"

"A winner's mindset allows you to suffer. With a bit of distance, we should still be proud, and the performance should give us confidence for Sunday," the Austrian said.

That is when he and TSG Hoffenheim, who recently got back on track in the German Bundesliga after a poor start, face FC Schalke 04.

After the difficult start to the season, the match was "great confirmation" of the chosen path, said Managing Director for Sport Andreas Schicker. TSG is "a young team undergoing a development process."

In the UEFA Europa League, the Kraichgau side now sit in 23rd place, narrowly inside the playoff spots. On the next matchday, TSG will face SK Sturm Graz.