Hoffenheim is in a crisis situation. The excitement that the team showed last season is gone. The high defensive line now causes only problems, because the pressing does not work. The defense every time gives the opportunity to make throws behind their backs, and this leads to unfortunate consequences. In the Europa League, Pellegrino Matarazzo chose a more cautious strategy. Positional failures still haven’t gone anywhere. Now the team has three points in the Bundesliga and 11 conceded goals in four rounds.
Werder have been ambitious going into this season. After the draw with Dortmund, the players argued with the coaching staff about playing to win. In such a nervous state, the players came to Mainz and snatched three points with one less player. In front of Bayern, there was anxiety, because the opponent had left no chance for anyone before. Bremen didn’t make a single strike even towards the opponent’s goal. The team absolutely failed to cope with the pressure, falling apart in positional defense.