A point gained in injury time against Frankfurt

A good performance from TSG Hoffenheim was rewarded with a point in stoppage time as they drew 2-2 (0-1) with Eintracht Frankfurt. TSG were the better team against the side placed third in the table, but fell behind through Hugo Ektike's penalty in the 27th minute. Gift Orban scored a deserved equaliser in the 65th minute, but Ektike put Frankfurt ahead again (71). In stoppage time, Adam Hložek stepped up to grab TSG a deserved point (90 +6) after a battling display.

Line-up

Head coach Christian Ilzer made three changes to his starting XI compared to the 3-2 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. Luca Philipp, Valentin Gendrey and Arthur Chaves started in place of the injured Oliver Baumann, Pavel Kadeřábek and Stanley Nsoki.

The scenario

TSG came into Matchday 19 in 15th place with 17 points. Frankfurt were in third place with 36 points.

Number of the game:

The starting XI against Eintracht Frankfurt had an average age of 24 years and 284 days, making it the club's youngest starting line-up since April 2021.

Moment of the match

The equaliser to make it 2-2. TSG had pushed hard to level the scores, seemingly in vain. But then Andrej Kramarić had a bright idea and chipped the ball over the Frankfurt defence into the penalty area. Adam Hložek steeled himself, took the ball on the volley and rattled home a richly deserved goal for a final score of 2-2.

Best debut

Luca Philipp stood in goal for TSG Hoffenheim for the first time in a Bundesliga match.

Outlook

The last match in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League is on the agenda for Thursday night (21:00 CET). TSG Hoffenheim need to win away to RSC Anderlecht and hope other results go their way if they are to progress.

Match facts

Line-ups

TSG Hoffenheim: L. Philipp – Gendrey (76, Kadeřábek), Arthur Chaves, Akpoguma, Jurásek – Stach, Becker (76, Bülter) – Hložek, Kramarić, Bischof – Moerstedt (63, Orban)

Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp – Collins, Koch, Theate – Kristensen, Skhiri, Larsson (90+3, Bahoya), Knauff (90+3, Chandler) – Götze (62, Chaibi), Uzun (62, Tuta) – Ekitike

Goals: 0-1 Ekitike (27/penalty), 1-1 Orban (65), 1-2 Ekitike (71), 2-2 Hložek (90+6)

Match highlights

6. Min.

Against the woodwork

TSG almost take the lead early on. After a free-kick from Bischof, the ball lands at the feet of Hložek, who takes a shot with his left foot and strikes the post.

27. Min.

A goal down

Akpoguma clips Ekitike on the heels. After a consultation with VAR, the referee points to the spot. Ekitike steps up to slot it calmly into the bottom-right corner. Philipp went the other way.

38. Min.

Bad luck for Moerstedt

The chance to equalise: TSG counter-attack down the left and play in Moerstedt, who gets his shot off in the penalty area. Rather than finding the back of the net to make it 1-1, his effort is blocked by an Eintracht defender.

52. Min.

Stach almost equalises

Bischof slips a neat pass through to Stach, who takes it in his stride and advances towards goal. He unleashes a shot from a half-right position, but Trapp is there in his near-corner to make the save.

65. Min.

Orban scores off the bench

Now we have the equaliser. Hložek makes a great solo run into the penalty area. Through on goal, he squares to the just-entered substitute Orban, who has the simplest of finishes. The equaliser is well deserved.

70. Min.

Kramaric misses

That should have been 2-1. TSG counter-attack through Jurasek, who plays a low cross to the far post. Kramarić looks to finish with the net gaping, but he can only hit the upright from close range.

71. Min.

Frankfurt take the lead

That's a tough one to swallow. Kramarić misses a chance to make it 2-1 at one end, but Frankfurt score down the other. Kristensen breaks free down the right and squares to Ekitike, who makes no mistake with the finish.

90 + 6. Min.

The equaliser in injury time

The highly deserved equaliser. Kramarić has space in the penalty area. He dinks the ball perfectly over the defence to Hložek, who takes the ball on the volley and smashes it into the back of the net.