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Strong TSG claim highly-deserved win against Leipzig
Personnel & tactics
Head coach Sebastian Hoeness made five changes to the starting XI that lost 2-0 away to VfL Bochum. Four key players that featured in that previous match – Robert Skov, Sebastian Rudy, Christoph Baumgartner and Andrej Kramarić – were missing. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was protected by an unchanged back three of Stefan Posch, Florian Grillitsch and Chris Richards. David Raum began at left wing-back, with Kevin Akpoguma keeping his place on the right. Dennis Geiger and Diadie Samassékou formed the central defensive midfield partnership, with the trio of Ihlas Bebou, Munas Dabbur and Georginio Rutter charged with providing the attacking threat.
TSG made their first substitution in the 64th minute, as goalscorer Samassékou left the pitch with a knock and was replaced by Angelo Stiller. A double switch followed 10 minutes later, with Sargis Adamyan and Chris Richards coming on in place of Rutter and Dabbur (73). With the game in its latter throes, a debut was handed to Fisnik Asllani, who came on for Bebou and made his first appearance for the TSG senior side. Håvard Nordtveit also made his comeback from injury, replacing Akpoguma (89).
Moment of the match
Benjamin Hübner returned to the matchday squad for the first time in 511 days. The defender ran past the South Stand in the 35th minute to warm up and the fans responded to the TSG captain by singing Benjamin Hübner chants.
Number of the game: 13
Diadie Samassékou's goal means that there are now 13 different players who have scored for TSG in the Bundesliga this season – a league high. It was the midfielder's first goal in the Bundesliga on his 61st appearance.
Line-ups:
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Posch, Grillitsch, Vogt – Akpoguma (Nordtveit, 89), Samassékou (Stiller, 64), Geiger, Raum – Bebou (Asllani, 89), Dabbur (Richards, 73), Rutter (Adamyan, 73)
RB Leipzig: Gulacsi – Klostermann (Novoa, 79), Orban, Gvardiol – Mukiele (Henrichs, 53), Adams, Kampl (Forsberg, 46), Angelino – Nkunku, Szoboszlai (Moviba, 71) – Silva (Brobbey, 71)
Goals: 1-0 Samassekou (12), 2-0 Dabbur (68)
Match highlights
Geiger plays the ball up top towards Georginio Rutter, who has a go at goal from a centre-left position. The ball flies just a few centimetres wide of the upright, however.
Following a Geiger corner, Leipzig shot-stopper Gulacsi comes for the ball but misses it. Samassékou is in the right place and heads into an empty net.
A corner is taken and Rutter shoots at goal in the penalty area. The Frenchman catches the ball on the half-volley but fires it just wide of the target.
Raum turns intelligently in the box and takes a shot with his right foot. The Germany international's effort flies towards the bottom right corner – but Gulacsi makes a strong save.
Dabbur plays the ball through to Rutter, who goes clean through on Gulacsi. The Frenchman's shot lacks accuracy though and is saved. That was a big chance to make it 2-0.
Akpoguma meets Raum's corner-kick with a header. Gulacsi is beaten but the defender's attempt flies narrowly wide of the left upright.
Dabbur does well to win the ball back from a Leipzig player in midfield. The striker then bears down on goal and shoots from just outside the penalty area. Dabbur's strike nestles in the bottom left corner of the goal.
Adamyan does well to break through down the right flank and crosses towards Bebou, who heads the ball against the post. Then Grillitsch's follow-up hits the woodwork as well. What bad luck.
Match facts and statistics »
