TSG back in the hunt after impressive 3-0 win

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim's battle for Bundesliga survival is back on course after a commanding 3-0 away win against fellow strugglers SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Two early strikes in the first half from Roberto Firmino and Joselu helped them on their way, before a quick-fire third from Tobias Weis at the start of the second period ensured a comfortably victory that sees TSG close in on Augsburg.

Marco Kurz made four changes from last week's much improved performance against FC Bayern, replacing David Abraham, Fabian Johnson, Takashi Usami and Igor de Camargo with Matthieu Delpierre, Andreas Beck, Roberto Firmino and Joselu – the Spanish striker arguably selected because of his brace in the 3-3 draw with Fürth earlier in the season. This time around though, the stakes were much higher. With Augsburg dropping points the day before thanks to a Nürnberg victory, both sides had the chance to close the gap on the relegation play-off position. Hoffenheim looked hungry and started in terrific fashion. A splitting pass by Tobias Weis played in Firmino on the edge of the box and the Brazilian controlled it well, before slotting the ball into the bottom corner beyond Max Grün after just ten minutes.

The joy was clear to see throughout the team – though Firmino was yellow-carded for removing his jersey – and the TSG celebrations were picked up again just seven minutes later. An incisive counter-attack started by Stephan Schröck resulted in Kevin Volland being put through on goal. Although he could have shot himself, the 20-year-old had the awareness to look up and pick out the better-positioned Joselu at the far post and the striker was able to tuck the ball in to double Hoffenheim's advantage. Marco Kurz's team looked like they had a new energy about them and restricted the hosts to efforts from distance, with the only one on target very comfortable for the barely troubled Heurelho Gomes.

Quick goal ends Fürth challenge

The break looked like it had favoured Greuther Fürth initially with some scrappy moments inside the TSG box, but then five minutes into the second half Hoffenheim made it 3-0. Weis won possession high up the pitch after a heavy first touch in defence and played the ball quickly to Joselu on the right-hand side. The striker returned the favour, picking out Weis' run with his cross and the midfielder could tap in from close range for his first ever Bundesliga goal and Hoffenheim's third of the match. With the three points looking all but confirmed, Marco Kurz also took the opportunity to introduce some fresh faces. Luis Advincula took the place of Stephan Schröck and Stefan Thesker came on for Patrick Ochs.

Fürth's offensive threat never really manifested and again only chances from outside the area were giving Gomes anything to do. The on-loan Spurs keeper saved well from a Petsos free kick and watched on as Pekovic hit the side netting, but there was to be no repeat of the three goals Fürth scored when these two teams met in October. Weis could even have made it four after Grün spilled Volland's cross but he hit the crossbar from close range. Nevertheless, Hoffenheim claimed a vital three points coupled with a commanding performance. The gap to Augsburg is reduced to two points and the fight for Bundesliga survival is in full swing. The next test for Kurz's men is a home match with FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday 16th March at 15.30 CET.

Matt Hardy

SpVgg Greuther Fürth: Grün – Zimmerman, Sobiech, Mavraj, Baba – Geis (12' Petsos) – Klaus, Fürstner, Varga (46' Pekovic), Park – Djurdjic (77' Nöthe)

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Gomes – Ochs (70' Thesker), Delpierre, Vestergaard, Beck – Weis, Williams – Schröck (61' Advincula), Volland (80' Polanski), Firmino – Joselu

Goals: 1-0 Firmino (10'), 2-0 Joselu (17'), 3-0 Weis (51')
Yellow cards: Firmino, Volland – Petsos, Pekovic
Attendance: 15,760
Referee: Knut Kircher