Defeat after an early double blow

A bad evening in Portugal: TSG Hoffenheim lost 3-0 (2-0) away to Sporting Braga. TSG were 2-0 down after just eight minutes due to goals from Bruma (2) and Roger (8). Head coach Christian Ilzer's team improved, but the deficit from early on was too great to take anything home from Portugal. Braga scored in stoppage time through Vitor Carvalho to bring the score to 3-0 (90+5).

Line-up

In his first Europa League match as head coach of TSG Hoffenheim, Christian Ilzer made five changes to the starting XI from the 4-3 win over RB Leipzig. Valentin Gendrey, Kevin Akpoguma, David Jurásek, Jacob Bruun Larsen and Mergim Berisha started in place of Pavel Kadeřábek, Stanley Nsoki, Alexander Prass, Marius Bülter and Haris Tabaković.

Scenario

TSG Hoffenheim had five points after four matchdays in the UEFA Europa League and were in 19th place, while Sporting Braga had one point less and were in 26th place.

Number of the game: 8

TSG were 2-0 down after just eight minutes in Braga and had more or less lost the game before it had really begun. Head coach Christian Ilzer's team never recovered from the early double blow by Bruma (2) and Roger (8).

Moment of the match

The opening goal: Oliver Baumann was put under pressure in his own penalty area, then played a misplaced pass to Bruma, who finished with ice-cold precision to give Braga an early lead. The goal in the second minute epitomised TSG's disappointing evening.

Outlook

TSG Hoffenheim's next competitive match is scheduled for Sunday (15:30 CET), when Christian Ilzer's team visit 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga.

Stats

Line-up

Sporting Braga: Matheus - Joao Ferreira, Arrey-Mbi, Niakaté (75, Bambu) - Roger (68, Roberto), Vitor Carvalho, Joao Moutinho (87, Gorby), Gabri Martinez (87, Oliviera Ribeiro) - R. Horta, Bruma - El Ouazzani (67, Gomez)

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann - Gendrey, Arthur Chaves, Akpoguma, Jurásek - Stach (81, Moerstedt), Bischof (64, Geiger) - Hložek (64, Tohumcu), Kramarić (72, Tabaković), Bruun Larsen (72, Prass) - Berisha

Goals: 1-0 Bruma (2), 2-0 Roger (8), 3-0 Vitor Carvalho (90+5)

Match highlights

2. Min.

A catastrophic start

A very bad way to begin: Baumann plays a misplaced pass in his own penalty area. Bruma says thank you and drills the ball into the far corner from a half-left position.

8. Min.

A double blow from Braga

TSG are hit on the counter. The onrushing Braga players are left with far too much space in the penalty area. Roger is slipped into space on the right corner of the box and curls the ball into the far corner with his left foot. Baumann is left with no chance.

19. Min.

Berisha unfortunate

Out of nowhere, a chance to pull one back: Berisha is played in behind the defensive line with a ball over the top. He manages to round the keeper but is forced wide. His effort is saved just shy of the goalline by Niakaté.

68. Min.

Braga blow the chance to go 3-0 up

Almost 3-0: TSG are caught on the break after a corner. Robert finds himself one-on-one with Baumann, but he rushes the finish and the keeper makes the save. More would have been possible there.

90 + 5. Min.

3-0 in injury time

That will seal it. TSG are unable to clear their lines. The ball falls to Vitor Carvalho at the corner of the penalty area, who takes a pop and finds the left corner.