Friendly defeat in Karlsruhe

In what was an even opening phase, Karlsruher SC struck a double-blow around the 20-minute mark. Marvin Wanitzek opened the scoring following a Hoffenheim possession giveaway (18), then Budu Zivzivadze doubled the lead following a free-kick three minutes later (21). Umut Tohumcu reduced Hoffenheim's deficit to 2-1 in the 38th minute thanks to an assist from Dennis Geiger, but Zivzivadze struck again four minutes later to re-establish the two-goal cushion (42).

The match also saw TSG reunited with Bambasé Conté. The attacking player is spending this season on loan at KSC from Hoffenheim. The game took place behind closed doors.

Pellegrino Matarazzo changed more or less the entire team for the second half and the game somewhat lost its flow. Marius Bülter had a chance to pull a goal back, but Fabian Schleusener netted to round off the scoring at 4-1 right at the end (87).

TSG Hoffenheim will play their next friendly on Wednesday (24 July). Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo's team will then go up against SV Elversberg in Zuzenhausen.

First-half line-up: Philipp – Akpoguma, Stach, Drexler – Kadeřábek, Geiger, Prömel, Bülter – Tohumcu, Bischof – Bebou

Second-half line-up: Philipp – Erlein, Stach (Akpoguma, 66), Strobl – Kadeřábek (Justvan, 60), Samassékou, Prömel (Bischof, 66), Bülter (Behrens, 60) – Tohumcu (Hennrich, 60), Micheler – Moerstedt

Goals: 1-0 Wanitzek (18), 2-0 Zivzivadze (21), 2-1 Tohumcu (38), 3-1 Zivzivadze (42), 4-1 Schleusener (87)