Ilzer struggles with season start: "Concede goals too easily"

Fourth Bundesliga match this season, third defeat. Things are not going smoothly for Christian Ilzer and TSG Hoffenheim, who lost 1:3 to promoted side Paderborn on Sunday (Match report>>>).

Just when it seemed the Sinsheimers were finally finding their rhythm - having defeated VfB Stuttgart 2:1 last week - the next setback followed. "It's not the start to the season we envisioned," Wouter Burger summed it up.

Baumann: "It's far too little"

"We're playing too carelessly," captain Oliver Baumann criticized himself and his teammates after the match to the club's own channels. They are placing too little emphasis on defending.

"We lost the ball too easily. At the back, we too often found ourselves in a numerical disadvantage," Burger fumed, referring to Paderborn's goals for 2:0 and 3:1, both of which were preceded by avoidable turnovers from TSG.

And the hosts ruthlessly exploited their opportunities. Of course, that can also work out, as Hoffenheim also had their chances. "That might win you one game, but not several," Baumann knew. In the end, "it was far too little."

An "adequate performance" is not enough

"Congratulations to SC Paderborn for a deserved victory in the end," coach Christian Ilzer stated as a fair loser, agreeing with his players' opinion: "Ultimately, we concede goals too easily." He had seen "an adequate performance," "but we ruin it for ourselves with the goals conceded."

During the long international break, those responsible now have ample time to draw the right conclusions. Bambasé Conté knew where they might need to start.

The team currently lacks fluidity, but also "that last bit of intensity, the ultimate consistency both offensively and defensively, the willingness to win duels. We need to become more unpleasant, dirtier, and sharper in our mentality again," said the 23-year-old, who was nominated by Jürgen Klopp for the DFB team for the first time.

Schicker "100 percent convinced by the path"

Baumann, meanwhile, hinted that they might be resting a bit on their strong previous season. "We need to get to a point where we don't think a good season is enough. It's about confirming our performance. We have to be tough and honest with each other," he stated clearly.

The international break therefore comes at just the right time for Hoffenheim to regroup and start with renewed energy.

However, the fundamental approach will not change, as sporting director Andreas Schicker clarifies: "I am 100 percent convinced by our path, but we need to clearly improve a few things."