Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann addresses squad injury crisis ahead of Crystal Palace clash
TSG Hoffenheim captain Oliver Baumann has acknowledged the difficulties facing his side as Christian Ilzer's injury-hit squad prepares for Thursday evening's Europa League encounter against Crystal Palace. The 36-year-old goalkeeper remains convinced that the club can overcome its current problems, despite a disappointing start to the 2026/27 campaign and an increasingly severe personnel shortage.
Hoffenheim travel to London having collected just nine points from their opening eight Bundesliga fixtures. Three victories and five defeats leave the Kraichgau club in 12th place, a considerable contrast to the excellent form that secured a fifth-place finish and European qualification last season.
The inconsistency has been particularly frustrating given the considerable investment made in Ilzer's squad over the summer. Asexamined inGet German Football News' extensive Hoffenheim tactical preview, sporting director Andreas Schicker substantially reinforced an already competitive squad, bringing in the likes of Nathan De Cat, Patrick Wimmer, Mats Rots, and Adam Daghim.
Hoffenheim's €50m sale of Bazoumana Touré to Newcastle United provided the financial means to strengthen several positions. The return of Fisnik Asllani following the collapse of his proposed move to RB Leipzig also left Ilzer with an abundance of attacking options.
The results have nevertheless fallen short of expectations. Hoffenheim opened the campaign with consecutive 3-2 defeats against Köln and Borussia Dortmund before recording their first victory against VfB Stuttgart.
Further losses to Paderborn and Hamburg followed. Victories over Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen in October appeared to suggest that Hoffenheim were finally finding some consistency.
The convincing 3-0 triumph over Leverkusen was particularly encouraging, but last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Werder Bremen halted the momentum. Hoffenheim have also endured mixed fortunes in cup competition.
Elimination against second-division Holstein Kiel in the DFB-Pokal was another unwelcome setback, while their Europa League campaign has produced just three points from three matches. A commanding 3-0 victory over Olympique Lyon demonstrated that Ilzer's side remain capable of producing excellent performances.
Nevertheless, defeats in their other two European fixtures have left them 23rd in the league-phase standings ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park. Hoffenheim injury crisis severely restricts Ilzer's options The club's mounting injury problems have now complicated the task of recovering lost ground.