TSG rue wasted chances in Wolfsburg defeat

Inside the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena there were posters for Boris Vukcevic after this week's news that he has been awoken from his coma, with further hope that it would inspire the TSG players against their opponents from Wolfsburg. There were two changes to Markus Babbel's side from last week's 1-1 draw with Fortuna Düsseldorf. The suspended Marvin Compper was replaced by the returning Matthieu Delpierre, and Sejad Salihovic came into the side in place of Takashi Usami for his first appearance since his four-match ban. With Hoffenheim sitting only one point above their opponents and the relegation spot, it was important to try and continue their recent good run of form at home. However, it was the visitors who gained the upper hand after just seven minutes. Ivica Olic took on Jensen on the left-hand side, and the young defender was too laid back in his challenge, allowing the Croatian to deliver a dangerous cross. Goalkeeper Tim Wiese could only get a fingertip to it and Makoto Hasebe ghosted in at the back post to head into the open net.

It was the wake-up call that TSG needed and they started to control possession and the game, although they were unable to forge sufficient goalscoring opportunities. Their best chance to equalise came from Roberto Firmino when the midfielder skilled past his man before unleashing a vicious strike from 30 yards that was well saved by Diego Benaglio low down. While the chances failed to appear for the home side, the mistakes did, as giving the ball away became a common theme and they were punished on the 24-minute mark. Roberto Firmino's nonchalant pass out of defence went straight to Josue, who quickly played it forward to Bas Dost. The Wolfsburg striker doubled his side's lead with his low finish in off the post.

Daniel Williams tried to get the home team back into the game with another long-range shot, but Benaglio was once again equal to it. The TSG fans were starting to get on the player's backs, but shortly before the break, Sebastian Rudy burst into life in midfield to create Hoffenheim's best chance so far. His powerful run ended with a good pass to Volland on the left wing. The German U21 player delivered a wonderful diagonal ball to the back post where Joselu was waiting. Instead of going for goal, the Spaniard opted to head back across the six-yard line to find Salihovic, but the Bosnian's header was too central and was pushed away by Wolfsburg's Benaglio.

TSG were the better side after the restart, but couldn't call Benaglio into further action through chances from Joselu and Volland. 15 minutes into the half though, they almost found themselves even further behind. A ball over the top by Diego allowed Dost in one-on-one with Wiese. The goalscorer lifted his shot over the TSG captain but Delpierre got back in time to hook the ball off the line. Soon after, Hoffenheim came a step closer to pulling a goal back. Firstly, Benaglio saved well from Salihovic's free kick, before Joselu skied a shot from close range after the VfL keeper could only parry Delpierre's header. They soon became chances to regret as Wolfsburg scored their third goal from a free kick. Naldo struck the ball low, curling it around the wall and into the bottom left corner past a beaten Wiese for a 3-0 lead.

TSG almost picked up a late consolation goal when Kevin Volland's header hit the bar, but did find one moments later thanks to Volland's cross. Substitute Derdiyok rose highest in the box to head past Benaglio and score his first Bundesliga goal of the season. It was not enough to make up for their missed opportunities throughout the game and the mistakes that allowed Wolfsburg to build up their lead. TSG remain dangerously close the relegation spot with a difficult home match against fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen to come next Sunday.

Matt Hardy

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Wiese – Beck, Jensen (77' Schipplock), Delpierre, Johnson – Williams (46' Grifo), Rudy – Roberto Firmino, Volland, Salihovic – Joselu (68' Derdiyok)

VfL Wolfsburg: Benaglio – Fagner, Naldo, Kjaer, Schäfer – Josue (83' Madlung), Polak – Hasebe, Diego, Olic (89' Kahlenberg) – Dost (90' Jönsson)

Goals: 0-1 Hasebe (7'), 0-2 Dost (24'), 0-3 Naldo (78'), 1-3 Derdiyok (88')

Yellow cards: Rudy, Jensen - Josue

Attendance: 20,500

Referee: Günter Perl

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