FIRST TEAM

11/12/2022

Unlucky defeat to Wolfsburg

TSG Hoffenheim dominated the match but again picked up no points as they succumbed to a 2-1 (1-1) defeat to VfL Wolfsburg. The defeat saw the Kraichgau club end the calendar year with a tally of 18 points from the opening 15 games of the season. Christoph Baumgartner fired Hoffenheim into the lead, but an own goal from Ozan Kabak (45+4) and a strike from Ridle Baku turned the game on its head.

The scenario

The Wolves went into the game in ninth place with 20 points, with TSG two points behind in 10th position. An impressive winning streak had seen VfL Wolfsburg climb above TSG Hoffenheim in the table.

Line-up

Head coach André Breitenreiter made three changes to the starting XI that lost 4-2 in Frankfurt last time out, with Kevin Akpoguma, Robert Skov and Angelo Stiller coming in to replace Eduardo Quaresma, Pavel Kadeřábek and Muhammed Damar.

Number of the game: 200

The 2-1 defeat to VfL Wolfsburg was Kevin Vogt's 200th competitive appearance in a TSG Hoffenheim shirt. The defender moved to the Kraichgau from 1. FC Cologne in 2016.

Moment of the match

Wolfsburg's winning goal: TSG were the better team in the second period too, but Wolfsburg scored what turned out to be deciding goal on the counterattack. Felix Nmecha played in Ridle Baku, who went past Angeliño and fired home a cultured low shot in the 56th minute to clinch the victory.

Stroke of misfortune

TSG performed strongly in the first half and looked to be heading into the break in front, only to let in an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Oliver Baumann kept out a Wolfsburg header, but the ball took an unfortunate rebound off Ozan Kabak and into the net. It was to be the turning point in the match.

Outlook

The winter break has now started. TSG will continue their campaign with a trip to Union Berlin on 21 January.

Stats

Line-ups

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Ozan Kabak, Vogt, Akpoguma – Skov (Kadeřábek, 83), Geiger (Quarshie, 90+3), Angeliño – Stiller, Kramarić (Bruun Larsen, 73) – Georginio (Asllani, 73), Baumgartner

VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Fischer (Roussillon, 90), Bornauw, van de Ven, Otavio – Baku, Nmecha (Waldschmidt, 90), Arnold, Gerhardt (Guilavogui, 65), Kaminski (Philipp, 65) – Marmoush (Svanberg, 12)

Goals: 1-0 Baumgartner (42), 1-1 Ozan Kabak own goal (45+4), 1-2 Baku (56)

Match highlights

4. Min.

Casteels keeps out Baumgartner

The first chance of the match: Georginio breaks through following a throw-in and crosses into the middle towards Baumgartner, who wins the aerial battle and forces Casteels into a fingertip save to turn the ball over the bar.

23. Min.

Casteels outstanding

Casteels shines again: Kramarić somehow keeps a cross from Angeliño in play and then crosses the ball back into the middle. Georginio comes out on top in the aerial battle, prompting many fans to start celebrating, but Casteels somehow claws the ball off the goal-line.

42. Min.

The opening goal

A short corner brings about the opening goal: Angeliño curls the ball into the middle and picks out the head of Baumgartner, who leaves Casteels with no chance from close range and nods home the goal for 1-0.

45 + 4. Min.

Frustrating equaliser

Wolfsburg level on the stroke of half-time. Baumann succeeds in keeping out a header from Bornauw, but the ball takes an unlucky deflection off Kabak and into his own net.

49. Min.

Almost back in front

Angeliño takes a free-kick very quickly and finds Akpoguma. The defender is somewhat taken by surprise by the situation and fires narrowly wide of goal under pressure.

56. Min.

Wolfsburg take 2-1 lead

Wolfsburg strike on the counter and find the net with their first attempt of the second half. Nmecha plays in Baku, who gets the better of Angeliño and fires the ball into the net.

61. Min.

Almost the leveller

It's not meant to be. Skov threads through brilliantly to Baumgartner, who attempts to lob the ball over Casteels only for Bornauw to clear with the keeper beaten.

Match facts and statistics »

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