Hoffenheim without Kramaric at Europa League start

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will have to play their first match in the Europa League without record goalscorer Andrej Kramaric. The Croatian striker is out of action due to illness, as is midfielder Anton Stach, for the match at FC Midtjylland on Wednesday (9 p.m./RTL). Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo said this in the evening.

Dennis Geiger is also missing for the same reason, but defensive leader Florian Grillitsch is fit again for the challenge against the Danish champions and league leaders. TSG is hoping for the much-needed success at the start of the new league format. After three recent defeats in the Bundesliga and a lot of unrest in the club, Matarazzo spoke of a “change of scenery, a fresh start and new energy”.