FIRST TEAM

10/30/2024

TSG in round of 16 after thriller

It was hard work but TSG Hoffenheim won 2-1 (1-0) against 1. FC Nürnberg and reached the round of 16 in the DFB-Pokal. Haris Tabaković fired TSG into the lead following a corner-kick (27), with Nürnberg equalising on the stroke of half-time through Mahir Emreli (47). TSG defender Arthur Chaves ultimately decided the game with his first goal for TSG (70), who subsequently defended their lead passionately until the final whistle. The draw for the round of 16 will take place on ARD-Sportschau at 19:15 CEST on Sunday evening.

The line-up

Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made five changes compared to the team that drew 0-0 away to 1. FC Heidenheim. Arthur Chaves, Pavel Kadeřábek, Umut Tohumcu, David Jurásek and Haris Tabaković replaced Stanley Nsoki, Valentin Gendrey, Tom Bischof, Alexander Prass and Andrej Kramarić.

The scenario

Both teams reached the second round of the DFB-Pokal following a penalty shootout victory. TSG were victorious in Würzburg, while Nürnberg won at 1. FC Saarbrücken. Hoffenheim were in 15th place in the Bundesliga, Nürnberg in eighth in the 2. Liga.

Moment of the match

The final whistle: After a battle of nerves and an exciting period of stoppage time, the final whistle sparked great relief. The round of 16 was reached thanks to goals from Haris Tabaković and Arthur Chaves.

Number of the game: 7

TSG Hoffenheim won the seventh DFB-Pokal tie in a row in which the team took the lead. The last time TSG lost after holding the lead in the DFB-Pokal was in February 2020 (4-3 in Munich).

Debut of the day:

His first goal on his first appearance in the DFB-Pokal: Arthur Chaves scored following a corner-kick to make it 2-1 in the 70th minute.

Outlook

The campaign continues for TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday, when coach Pellegrino Matarazzo's team plays host to promoted club FC St. Pauli in the Bundesliga. Kick-off is at 15:30 CEST.

Stats

Line-ups:

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Chaves, Stach (Stach, 85), Akpoguma – Kadeřábek, Grillitsch (Bischof, 72), Tohumcu, Jurásek – Hložek (Berisha, 72), Bülter (Kramarić, 62) – Tabaković

1. FC Nürnberg: Mathenia – Jeltsch, Knoche, Karafiat – Villadsen (Hofmann, 82), Jander, Castrop (Duman, 85), Yilmaz – Justvan – Emreli (Lubach, 82), Tzimas (Schleimer, 70)

Goals: 1-0 Tabaković (27), 1-1 Emreli (47), 2-1 Chaves (70)

Match highlights

15. Min.

First dangerous shot

The first big opportunity of the match: Hložek is played in after a possession turnover, dribbles into the box and then shoots from a centre-right position, but Mathenia saves.

25. Min.

Best chance to take the lead

Kadeřábek has the chance to make it 1-0: a low ball from the left is played towards Tabaković, who does brilliantly to win it with his back to goal and has the vision to pick out the unmarked Kadeřábek, but he fires centrally over the goal. Much more was possible there.

27. Min.

Deserved opener

TSG take the lead following a corner-kick: Tohumcu's cross is flicked on at the near post and then pinballs across the penalty area. Tabaković is in the right place and prods home from a short distance to make it 1-0.

47. Min.

The equaliser

That was too easy: After a possession turnover, Justvan is picked out in the middle and threads it through to Emreli. The striker keeps his cool in front of Baumann and slots into the left corner.

54. Min.

Almost behind

Nürnberg play themselves into a frenzy and almost go in front. After a lovely turn, Castrop's shot is kept out by a strong save from Baumann.

57. Min.

Against the bar

TSG almost take the lead suddenly: A deflected cross from the right falls to Tabaković, who aims for the far corner but only strikes the crossbar. That was very close.

70. Min.

Chaves restores the lead

The second Hoffenheim goal also comes from a corner-kick. Arthur Chaves heads a cross from Tohumcu perfectly into the far corner at the near post. Mathenia is powerless.