Belfodil the hat-trick hero as TSG win in Augsburg

Ishak Belfodil was the standout performer as TSG Hoffenheim won 4-0 (1-0) at FC Augsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 28. Having contributed a goal and an assist in the comfortable victory over Leverkusen last time out, the Algerian forward continued his fine form by notching a perfect hat-trick. The victory, in which Andrej Kramaric scored the opener, moves the Kraichgau club up to seventh in the table and keeps them in the hunt for the Europa League places.

Personnel & tactics:

Coach Julian Nagelsmann made three changes to the team that beat Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 last time out. Nico Schulz, who missed that match through suspension, replaced Joshua Brenet on the left of the back four, while Kevin Vogt and Benjamin Hübner kept their places at the heart of defence and Pavel Kaderabek lined up on the right flank.

Nadiem Amiri replaced Leonardo Bittencourt in midfield, where he played alongside Florian Grillitsch − who sometimes dropped back in between the centre-backs when Hoffenheim had the ball − and Kerem Demirbay. Meanwhile, the attacking trio consisted of Ishak Belfodil, Andrej Kramaric and Adam Szalai, who stepped in for the injured Joelinton.

Immediately after going 2-0 up, Julian Nagelsmann made his first change when Amiri was withdrawn in favour of Ermin Bicakcic and the defence switched to a back three (62). Joshua Brenet came on for Schulz in a like-for-like change at left-back four minutes later (66), while the third and final substitution came when goalscorer Kramaric made way for Leonardo Bittencourt (80).

Moment of the match:

The third goal. Within a matter of seconds, the ball had travelled into the Augsburg half via Baumann and Grillitsch, who teed up Belfodil to make it 3-0. By that point, the game was over as a contest.