First-half masterclass: TSG beat Frankfurt

TSG Hoffenheim have made a statement in the battle for survival and claimed a 3-1 (3-0) victory against cup finalists Eintracht Frankfurt. Christoph Baumgartner headed TSG in front (8), with an Andrej Kramarić penalty (41) and an Ihlas Bebou goal (45+3) adding to the lead shortly before the break. Stanley Nsoki was red-carded directly after the interval (47) and Frankfurt subsequently grew stronger, with Mario Götze pulling a goal back (54). But the 10 men of TSG passionately withstood the Eintracht pressure and saw the 3-1 win over the line.

The line-up

Pellegrino Matarazzo made two changes to the starting XI that lost 1-0 away to RB Leipzig. Grischa Prömel started in place of Pavel Kadeřábek (muscular injury), while Stanley Nsoki replaced the suspended Kevin Akpoguma.

The scenario

Schalke's victory on Friday meant TSG went into the game against Eintracht Frankfurt in 15th place, while the visitors were up in ninth position.

Number of the game: 250

Andrej Kramarić made his 250th appearance for TSG Hoffenheim in a competitive game and moved ahead of Sejad Salihović (249 games) in the rankings. TSG's record goalscorer now sits behind Oliver Baumann (327) and Sebastian Rudy (324) with the third-most appearances for Hoffenheim. He scored a goal to mark the occasion.

Moment of the match

The goal for 1-0: Following an outstanding passing move, Christoph Baumgartner headed a Geiger cross into the back of the net. The goal paved the way for the victory over SGE.

Fighting spirit

Despite being down a player for almost the entirety of the second half, the whole team fought with great passion to secure the three points.

Outlook

TSG Hoffenheim face an away trip to VfL Wolfsburg next week. Kick-off is at 15:30 CET on Saturday.

Stats

Line-ups

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Ozan Kabak, Brooks, Nsoki – Bebou, Geiger, Angeliño – Kramarić (Becker, 78), Prömel (Tohumcu, 90+6) – Baumgartner (Dolberg, 78), Dabbur (Bičakčić, 51)

Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp – Ndicka, Hasebe, Toure (Borre, 55) – Buta (Knauff, 83), Kamada, Sow (Ebimbe, 73), Lenz (Alidou, 73) – Lindström (Aaronson, 46), Götze – Kolo Muani

Goals: 1-0 Baumgartner (8), 2-0 Kramarić (41), 3-0 Bebou (45+3), 3-1 Götze (54)

Incidents of note: Red card for Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner (45+1), red card for Stanley Nsoki (47)

Match highlights

8. Min.

TSG take the lead

That is brilliant play! Hoffenheim link up in the final third and a passing move involving many players culminates in Geiger delivering an inviting cross and Baumgartner heading home in clinical fashion.

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35. Min.

Huge opportunity for a second goal

That should have been the next goal! Bebou is played in by Geiger and perfectly picks out Kramarić. The Croat briefly stops the ball and then shoots, but Trapp manages to get a hand to it and turns it onto the crossbar.

37. Min.

Kabak to the rescue

Almost the equaliser at the other end: Buta plays it from the right into the middle towards World Cup winner Götze, who targets the far corner only for Kabak to block just in front of the line.

41. Min.

Kramarić increases lead from spot

Baumgartner cuts into the penalty area and is fouled. Kramarić clinically converts the resultant spot-kick.

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45 + 3. Min.

The third goal

Angeliño initially cuts back to Geiger, then gets the ball back first-time and heads it into the path of Bebou, who slots home from close range. World class, boys!