Frankfurt/Hamburg - TSG Hoffenheim are playing almost perfect football going into Friday's Bundesliga topper at Bayern Munich, according to their sponsor Dietmar Hopp.

But Hopp, 68, a German billionaire co-founder of software giants SAP and former striker at the club, won't be on hand for the hyped game as he is on holiday in Florida.

Tensions between the leaders Hoffenheim and the champions Munich rose when Munich general manager Uli Hoeness suggested that Hoffenheim's players were earning more than the club said.

"I can not understand that. I will ask him the next time around where he got this false information from. I would never go public with such speculation," Hopp told Wednesday's edition of the Bild daily.

But Hopp also said, in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa, that he has respect for Hoeness' courage to tackle problems in no-nonsese fashion and how he and Munich look after former Bayern players.

Hopp also said that Hoffenheim are nowhere near Munich's success and are "the best team in the league since Franck Ribery is back (from injury).

"Bayern are a role model for every club in Munich," he told dpa, praising Munich's long tradition of success in the sport.

He doesn't see Friday's match in the Allianz Arena, which he will watch on a football channel in the US, as a revenge match for Honess' statements.

"I don't want revenge, I only want to watch a good game. I don't even believe in victory but a 2-2 draw," Hopp told dpa.

Hoffenheim boasts the best attack with 40 goals and the league top scorer in Bosnian Vedad Ibisevic, who has 17 goals. Other strong players include Demba Ba, Carlos Eduardo and Chinedu Obasi.

"The way we are playing right now comes very close to the prefect football every fan wants to see," Hopp told Bild.

Hopp has invested millions into his village club over the past two decades as the club rose from the lower leagues to the top of the Bundesliga standings in their first top flight year.

Hoffenheim in general in Hopp in particular were alienated early in the season but that has now changed to respect for the high-flying newcomers.

"That's due to the team's attractive game. I would be happy if the fans show a little more respect for me. I am not asking for more," Hopp told Bild.

Hopp said the team has not negotiated a title bonus but only one if relegation is avoided. He modestly expressed his hope that Hoffenheim can finish in the league's top half over the next years.

Hopp has invested in a new stadium (to be opened in January) and a new training centre, but he is also pouring money into other clubs and sports in the region, and donating plenty for various charities.

Like his long-time golf buddy Franz Beckenbauer, Hopp has set up a foundation for people in need, and he has also donated money to the youth football foundation of Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann.

"I am happy that Juergen is having success now, I was always convinced he would. We are still in contact.

"But of course I hope that we will remain ahead of Bayern for a few more rounds," Hopp told dpa. (dpa)