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TSG come from behind to beat Augsburg
Personnel and tactics:
Head coach Sebastian Hoeness made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the last game before the winter break. Chris Richards replaced Florian Grillitsch, who was sidelined with a cold, and together with Stefan Posch and Kevin Vogt formed the back three in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Pavel Kadeřábek and David Raum started again on the wings. Dennis Geiger shielded the defence from a deep-lying midfield position. Christoph Baumgartner moved into the starting line-up and played alongside Andrej Kramarić in an attacking midfield role. Ihlas Bebou and Munas Dabbur formed a striking partnership up top.
In the 37th minute, TSG were forced to make their first change due to injury, as Kevin Akpoguma came on to replace Kadeřábek. Just under 20 minutes before the end, Hoeness opted for a double change: Angelo Stiller and Georginio Rutter replaced Bebou and Dabbur (72). Sargis Adamyan then came on for Kramarić in the 90th minute.
Moment of the match:
The all-important final goal: TSG fans had to suffer until the third minute of injury time before being able to break out in celebration. Georginio Rutter drove down the right wing and pinged a cross to the far-post, where David Raum was in acres of space to apply the finishing touch and put the result beyond doubt.
Number of the game: 7
Ihlas Bebou's brace means he's now scored seven goals this season, enough to make him the team's leading scorer. It was also TSG's seventh straight game without a loss in the Bundesliga.
Line-ups:
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Posch, Vogt, Richards – Kadeřábek (37, Akpoguma), Geiger, Raum – Baumgartner, Kramarić (90, Adamyan) – Dabbur (72, Rutter), Bebou (72, Stiller)
FC Augsburg: Gikiewicz – Gumny, Gouweleeuw (83, Caligiuri), Udsuokhai, Iago – Maier (67, Moravek), Dorsch – Hahn, Vargas (67, Sarenren-Bazee) – Gregoritsch (60, Niederlechner) Zeqiri (60, Pepi)
Goals: 0-1 Gregoritsch (5), 1-1 Bebou (38), 2-1 Bebou (44), 3-1 Raum (90+3)
Match highlights
Not the start TSG were looking for. Dabbur looked to have scored the opening goal, but it's ruled out as the striker's hand made contact with the ball. Instead it's Augsburg who grab the lead, as Gregoritsch powers a header into the back of the net from a corner.
There's a scramble in the box after a TSG corner. The ball emerges at the feet of Richards, who takes a shot on the turn but can't keep it under the bar.
TSG get the equaliser they deserve: Raum delivers an inch-perfect cross into the middle from the left flank. Bebou is on hand to slot the ball home from close range.
Posch plays a ball down the right wing, where Akpoguma is able to get the better of Iago. The right-back gets his head up and drills a cross to Bebou, whose deft first-time finish from the edge of the six-yard box dinks over Gikiewicz and into the back of the net.
A big chance on the counter: Kramarić has space in the box and support on either side from Dabbur and Baumgartner, but the Croatian opts to go it alone and sees his effort blocked. A wasted opportunity.
A header by Hahn is destined for the far-corner, but Baumann gets a hand on it. The ball then deflects off Sarenren-Bazee and goes out of play. A close shave there.
A chance to seal the win: Kramarić crosses into the middle, where Baumgartner has a free header. He can't quite get enough behind it and the ball flashes wide of the target.
TSG put the result beyond doubt, as they pour bodies forward on the counter and catch their opponents short-handed. Rutter drives forward down the right wing and launches a delivery towards the far-post, where Raum is well-placed to apply the finishing touches.
Match facts and statistics »
