Second win in a row – TSG also beat Frankfurt

Hoffenheim manager Gisdol trusted exactly the same starting XI that beat Schalke 3-1 in the German Cup only a few days ago, and it was clear from the start just how much the game meant to both teams. A number of fouls prevented the game from flowing in the opening stages, but Hoffenheim attacked early, putting so much pressure on Frankfurt that they were kept in their own half. Sven Schipplock had the first chance of the game after a nice cross from captain Andreas Beck, but he couldn't find the back of the net.

Jens Grahl was finally called into action after around 24 minutes. A through ball into the box produced a chance for Joselu, on-loan at Frankfurt from TSG, but he couldn't beat Grahl. Gisdol's side returned to their defensive stability shortly afterwards and pushed on, only to be denied by Frankfurt's goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. There score was goalless at the break.

Blow for blow in the second half

The second half had hardly started when Eugen Polanski won the ball in midfield, found Kai Herdling, who fed in Firmino. The Brazilian playmaker found the gap in between the central defenders and Schipplock finished to make it 1-0. Eintracht didn't take long to reply though. Joselu made it 1-1 just two minutes later, but Hoffenheim were not prepared to accept that result. All three of TSG's attacking players were involved as Volland played in Schipplock who squared for Firmino to sweep into an empty net. In the space of six minutes the game had gone from 0-0 to 2-1.

In the 59th minute, Schipplock won the ball in his own half and drove forward before firing a ball into the area. Firmino didn't get a good touch and got mixed up with Volland. Nevertheless Volland was able to get a shot away, only to see it hit the post. Gisdol's men continued to follow their tactics, regularly finding themselves in attacking situations. Under pressure, Frankfurt continued to make errors and Hoffenheim sought to attack quickly when they won the ball back.

Twenty minutes before the end, “Schippo“ was replaced by Anthony Modeste. Frankfurt weren't ready to give up just yet and upped their attacking efforts, but it remained even in terms of chances with Rode's header ten minutes before the end failing to change the scoreline. Hoffenheim's chances to finish the game fell to substitutes Fabian Johnson and Anthony Modeste, as well as Firmino. In the end though, the one-goal lead was enough and Hoffenheim secured yet another three points.

Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp – Jung, Zambrano, Anderson, Oczipka – Rode (85' Lakic), Schwegler, Flum – Kadlec (88' Schröck), Joselu, Inui (67' Rosenthal)

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Grahl – Beck, Süle, Vestergaard, Toljan – Polanski, Rudy – Volland (79' Salihovic), Firmino, Herdling (73' Johnson) – Schipplock (69' Modeste)

Goals: 0-1 Schipplock (46'), 1-1 Joselu (48'), 1-2 Firmino (51')

Yellow cards: Flum, Schwegler, Joselu, Rode, Anderson – Volland, Firmino

Referee: Peter Sippel

Attendance: 41,300

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