FIRST TEAM

09/29/2024

TSG lose after taking a 3-0 lead

TSG Hoffenheim fell to a 4-3 (3-3) defeat against Werder Bremen. In a breathtaking first half, TSG initially stormed to a 3-0 lead, with Marius Bülter (5/8) and Adam Hložek (12) ensuring the game got off to a perfect start. However, after Stanley Nsoki was sent off (18), the game changed, with Bremen reducing the deficit with goals from Julian Malatini (21) and Jens Stage (26). Shortly before half-time, the guests equalised, with Stage again the scorer (38). The Dane followed this up with his third goal shortly after half-time, putting Bremen in the lead (49). TSG worked their way back into the game in the closing quarter of an hour, but were unable to grab an equaliser.

Line-up

Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 in the UEFA Europa League at FC Midtjylland. Pavel Kadeřábek, Alexander Prass and Mergim Berisha started in place of Valentin Gendrey, Haris Tabaković and Jacob Bruun Larsen.

The scenario

Following the first four matchdays, TSG Hoffenheim were in 15th place in the table, with Werder Bremen two points ahead of them in 11th place.

Moment of the match

The sending off: a through ball sent Felix Agu running clear towards goal, before Stanley Nsoki lightly clipped his foot. The resultant red card completely transformed the game.

Number of the game: 125

The match against Werder Bremen took place as part of the club's 125th anniversary.

Outlook

On Thursday, the PreZero Arena will open its doors again for the first home game in the UEFA Europa League. Kick-off against Dynamo Kyiv is at 18:45 CEST. In the Bundesliga, TSG next play away to VfB Stuttgart on Sunday (19:30 CEST).

Match facts

Line-ups:

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Akpoguma, Grillitsch (46, Stach), Nsoki – Kadeřábek (76, Bruun Larsen), Bischof, Tohumcu, Prass (46, Gendrey) – Hložek, Berisha (27, Drexler), Bülter (69, Moerstedt)

SV Werder Bremen: Zetterer – Malatini, Stark (58, Pieper), Jung – Agu, Lynen (76, Alvero), Köhn (76, Deman) – Schmid (76, Topp), Stage – Ducksch (88, Grüll), Weiser

Goals: 1-0 Bülter (5), 2-0 Bülter (8), 3-0 Hložek (12), 3-1 Malatini (21), 3-2 Stage (26), 3-3 Stage (39), 3-4 Stage (49)

Red card: Nsoki (18)

Match highlights

5. Min.

The early lead

A brilliant attack gives TSG the lead! Berisha lets a high ball drop, Hlozek heads the ball to Bülter. Bülter brings Berisha back into play with a neat backheel and then runs forward into space. Berisha sees this and slips a through ball into Bülter's, who calmly finishes with a dink over Zetterer.

20240929 sap tsg hoffenheim bremen galerie 1

8. Min.

Bülter again!

TSG increase their lead! Marius Bülter gets the ball on the right and is felt with too much space. The scorer of the opening goal drives forward into the box, wrongfoots a defender and then fires a confident finish into the back of the net. Very impressive!

12. Min.

TSG make it three

Bischof wins the ball and plays it on quickly to Prass, who has plenty of space on the left. He passes it to Bülter, who again outwits his marker and delivers the ball into the box. Zetterer is able to get a glove on the cross, but only as far as Hlozek, who slots the ball into the net from close range.

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18. Min.

Nsoki sees red

That's a tough one to swallow. Agu is played in behind, Nsoki lightly clips the speedy winger. As he looked to be clean through on goal, referee Reichel decides to pull out the red card.

21. Min.

Bremen pull one back

The game remains hectic. After a cross, chaos breaks out in the box and TSG can't clear the ball. Malatini fires at goal while lying on the ground and the ball ends up in the back of the net.

27. Min.

Stage scores for Bremen

Ducksch crosses from the right into the box, where Stage wins the aerial battle and heads the ball into the net.

39. Min.

Bremen equalise

Prass misplaces a pass around the halfway line, and Bremen quickly counterattack. Agu drives forward to the byline and dinks a cross into the centre. The ball takes a touch off the outstretched leg of a TSG defender and sits up kindly for Stage, who volleys home.

49. Min.

Bremen turn the game around

TSG fail to clear properly from a corner, and Weiser crosses for Stage, who completes his hat-trick and gives Bremen the lead.

81. Min.

So close to the equaliser

Almost 4-4! Bruun Larsen drives into the box at pace and lets fly. Zetterer lets the ball slip through his legs, but Malatini manages to clear off the line.