Geiger fires TSG to victory over Augsburg

TSG Hoffenheim ground out a hard-fought 1-0 (1-0) victory away to FC Augsburg on Matchday 4. Dennis Geiger fired the Kraichgau club into the lead in the first half following a perfectly executed counter-attack (40). They had several chances to put the result beyond doubt after the interval but ultimately managed to see out the win despite not scoring a second goal.

The scenario

TSG went into their clash with FC Augsburg with increased confidence thanks to back-to-back victories. The men from Augsburg, meanwhile, had succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to 1. FSV Mainz 05 the previous weekend and travelled to the Kraichgau with three points from three games.

Line-up

André Breitenreiter opted to field the same starting XI that recorded a 3-0 victory away to Bayer 04 Leverkusen last time out.

Number of the game: 6

The opener from Dennis Geiger was already the sixth goal TSG have scored in the first half. Only FC Bayern Munich have netted more often in the opening 45 minutes (11).

Moment of the match

A textbook counter led to the opener. Georginio won a challenge on the halfway line and fed Andrej Kramarić. The Croat had the vision to deliver a cross towards the back post, where Robert Skov stood unmarked. But he skillfully cut the ball back to Dennis Geiger, who hammered it left-footed into the top-left corner (39).

Fans fear the worst

TSG fans were holding their breath in the 22nd minute. Dennis Geiger sustained an injury without opposition involvement and was down for a long time. Several feared the worst at the PreZero Arena, but the midfielder was able to continue and even went on to decide the match with his goal almost 15 minutes later.

Outlook

TSG Hoffenheim are next in action away to Borussia Dortmund on Friday. The men from Dortmund won their match away to Hertha BSC 1-0 on Saturday and are now in fifth position – one place behind TSG – with nine points.

Stats

Line-ups:

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Ozan Kabak, Vogt, Akpoguma – Skov (Kadeřábek, 62), Geiger (Rudy, 62), Angeliño – Prömel, Baumgartner (Dabbur, 72) – Georginio (Bruun Larsen, 80), Kramarić (Samassékou, 80)

FC Augsburg: Gikiewicz – Framberger (Caligiuri, 77), Gouweleeuw, Bauer – Pedersen, Rexhbecaj, Iago – Jensen (Gruezo, 80), Maier (Petkov, 77) – Demirovic (Vargas, 56), Pepi (Niederlechner, 56)

Goals: 1-0 Geiger (39)

Match highlights

7. Min.

Prömel fires first warning shot

The first moment of danger of the match: Skov cuts the ball back to Prömel after a counter-attack and he targets the far corner with his instep from the edge of the box, missing narrowly. Almost an early opener.

26. Min.

Big opportunity to make it 1-0

The biggest chance of the match: the ball ends up with Baumgartner, who surges into the penalty area from the left. With Gikiewicz ahead, the Austrian has the vision to pick out Georginio but the under-pressure forward fires wide from close range.

38. Min.

The long-awaited opener

TSG take a deserved lead. Kramarić crosses the ball towards the back post from the left and Skov cleverly cuts back to Geiger, who goes all in and hammers the ball left-footed into the top-left corner.

83. Min.

Bruun Larsen misses chance to kill game

Suddenly an opportunity to make it 2-0. Prömel's overhit through-ball towards Bruun Larsen narrows the angle and the shot does not pose major problems for Gikiewicz.

90 + 1. Min.