Bitter defeat in Wolfsburg

TSG Hoffenheim lost 2-1 (1-0) away to VfL Wolfsburg. Pellegrino Matarazzo's team produced a good performance in the first half but failed to convert their superiority into goals. Instead, Wolfsburg took the lead with their first chance when Jakub Kaminski headed home in the 15th minute. TSG did not force the issue enough in the second period and fell 2-0 behind to Luca Waldschmidt's goal on the 75-minute mark. The deficit was halved in stoppage time when Joshua Guilavogui turned the ball into his own net, but it was too little too late.

The line-up

Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo initially made one change to the starting XI that won 3-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, with Kevin Akpoguma replacing the suspended Stanley Nsoki. Dennis Geiger then withdrew at late notice due to back problems and was replaced by Sebastian Rudy.

The scenario

TSG Hoffenheim went into the game in 14th position, with a four-point cushion over the relegation places. Seventh-placed Wolfsburg were still battling for a place in European competition.

Number of the game: 100

The 2-1 loss away to VfL Wolfsburg was Robert Skov's 100th competitive appearance in a TSG Hoffenheim shirt.

Moment of the match

The 57th minute: Munas Dabbur won the ball back off Maximilian Arnold and went clean through on goalkeeper Koen Casteels. The striker could have even squared it to Christoph Baumgartner but went for goal himself – and fired the ball over the crossbar. That should've been the equaliser.

Thunderstrike off the woodwork

Andrej Kramarić almost got Hoffenheim off to a dream start in the seventh minute. The Croat cut into the middle from the right flank and shot left-footed from a good 25 metres out. It looked like Koen Casteels touched it with his fingertips and the ball struck the crossbar.

Outlook

TSG Hoffenheim will welcome Union Berlin to Sinsheim for the final home game of the season next Saturday. Kick-off is at 15:30 CET.

Stats

Line-ups

VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Bornauw, Guilavogui, Van de Ven – Baku (Fischer, 90), Arnold, Kaminski (Cozza, 90) – Nmecha, Svanberg (Gerhardt, 61) – Wimmer (Waldschmidt, 70), Wind (Marmoush, 61)

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Ozan Kabak, Brooks, Akpgouma – Bebou (Bischof, 85), Rudy, Angeliño (Dolberg, 73) – Kramarić, Prömel (Becker, 85) – Baumgartner, Dabbur (Skov, 62)

Goals: 1-0 Kaminski (15), 2-0 Waldschmidt (75), 2-1 Guilavogui (own goal, 90+3)

Match highlights

7. Min.

Kramarić with the thunderbolt

The biggest chance so far: Kramarić cuts into the middle from the right and shoots with his left foot. Casteels perhaps gets a hand to it and the ball thunders against the bar. What an opportunity.

15. Min.

Wolfsburg take the lead

That’s too easy: Baku has too much space on the right and crosses into the middle. All the players miss the ball and it sails through to Kaminski, who easily heads into the top left corner. Baumann has no chance to save Wolfsburg’s first attempt at goal.

41. Min.

Brooks spurns chance to level

There’s danger from a TSG set-piece: Prömel flicks the ball towards the back post on the edge of the six-yard box. Brooks gets a shot away under pressure and fires narrowly wide of the right upright.

57. Min.

Dabbur squanders opportunity

Dabbur brilliantly wins the ball back from Arnold and goes clean through on Casteels. The striker can square to Baumgartner, but goes it alone and fires over. That should’ve been the leveller.

75. Min.

Waldschmidt decides the game

It’s too easy once again: Waldschmidt is clearly onside following a chipped pass and, with only Baumann to beat, slots home for 2-0. TSG had lost possession of the ball in midfield.

90 + 3. Min.

Goal back comes too late

Bischof breaks through down the left and crosses the ball low into the middle. Guilavogui attempts to clear the ball but turns it into his own net. TSG then have another attack afterwards but do not threaten.