Successful first friendly in Walldorf

TSG lived up to their billing as favourites from the beginning and dominated a match played in perfect conditions and watched by over 1,500 spectators. Both Finn Ole Becker and Grischa Prömel made their debuts for the Kraichgau club, with both new signings included in the starting XI. André Breitenreiter's charges opened the scoring through Jacob Bruun Larsen in the third minute, following some lovely link-up play down the right flank.

TSG's second chance also fell to Bruun Larsen, but the Walldorf shot-stopper Luis Idjakovic made a strong save to keep out the well-placed, low shot (12). Hoffenheim subsequently upped the pressure, though Georginio was denied by the upright (14) and Bruun Larsen struck the woodwork too (24). Once the half-hour mark arrived – at which point a drinks break was scheduled in the 28 degree heat – Luca Philipp replaced Philipp Pentke in goal.

TSG doubled the lead shortly before the interval. Benjamin Hübner initially saw his header from a corner kept out by Ihjakovic, but Bruun Larsen was in the right place at the right time and tapped home from close range.

TSG returned for the second half with an entirely different outfield contingent, with a number of youth players afforded the chance to prove themselves in the absence of the internationals. Shortly after the restart, Muhammed Damar (47) and Bambasé Conté (48) spurned chances to add a third goal.

Astoria Walldorf's best opportunity came in the 64th minute but Nahuel Noll, who had come off the bench shortly beforehand, made a strong save. But TSG continued to apply pressure and it paid off when they netted again with a quarter of an hour to go, Damar scoring off the post from 11 metres out (75). Only four minutes later, Fisnik Asllani made it 4-0 to TSG via a deflected shot (79). Hoffenheim had several chances to add a fifth goal in the period that followed but the score remained 4-0 until the end.

"Today, everyone followed up an intense week of training with a very good performance. I think we can be satisfied. We're on a good path and I think the fans will also go home content today," said André Breitenreiter after the game.

TSG Hoffenheim will play their next friendly next Saturday (9 July). Coach André Breitenreiter's team will face 1. FC Heidenheim in Brackenheim at 15:30 CET. They will then travel to Kitzbühel for the training camp on 11 July.

TSG Hoffenheim first-half line-up: Pentke (Philipp, 30) – Akpoguma, Vogt, Hübner – Kadeřábek, Prömel, Geiger, Becker, Stafylidis – Georginio, Bruun Larsen

TSG Hoffenheim second-half line-up: Philipp (Noll, 61) – Adams, Rudy, Bogarde– Che, Stiller, Bischof, Conté – Tohumcu, Damar – Asllani

Goals: 0-1 Bruun Larsen (3), 0-2 Bruun Larsen (42), 0-3 Damar (75), 0-4 Asllani (79)

Match facts and statistics »