Hoffenheim coach stays grounded

Published Sep. 14, 2010 3:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

Ralf Rangnick believes it is "unrealistic" to consider Hoffenheim winning the Bundesliga title this season.

Hoffenheim have won their first three matches of the season.

They currently lead the way, like they did in the 2008/09 season when they were top of the table at the midway stage of the campaign only to fall away and finish seventh.

And Rangnick says his players are not wasting their energy on thinking about winning the title this year as they have learnt from that experience.

"We are not thinking about it at all," he said. "That is absolutely unrealistic.

"We are preparing with full concentration for our next opponent. Only that way have we any chance of beating them.

"We have learnt that the weight of expectation damages us."

Rangnick also insists that his team is not getting carried away with their sensational start to the season, even if the fans may be.

"There are no signs of euphoria," he told Sport1.de. "And if the fans celebrate in the stands like they did against Schalke, then we have no problem with that whatsoever."