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Defeat in Leverkusen
Line-up
Christian Ilzer made two changes to the starting XI from the 4-3 win away to Anderlecht: Marius Bülter and Erencan Yardimci came in to replace Max Moerstedt and David Mokwa.
The scenario
TSG came into Matchday 20 in 15th place with 18 points. Leverkusen were in second place with 42 points.
Number of the game: 1
After Hennes Behrens celebrated his competitive debut for the TSG Hoffenheim first team on Thursday, the 20-year-old then made his first appearance in the Bundesliga. Behrens was substituted on for David Jurásek in the 62nd minute.
Moment of the match
The opening goal: the early stages of the game brought few chances, but Bayer 04 Leverkusen took the lead with their first real opportunity: Victor Boniface struck the ball into the right corner from a half-left position. Luca Philipp was close to it but couldn't prevent the ball from rippling the back of the net in the 15th minute.
First time
For the first time in the history of the Bundesliga, a VAR decision was explained to the spectators in the stadium. Referee Dr Robin Braun announced to the crowd that Nathan Tella was offside in the build-up to a penalty decision, and therefore no penalty was awarded in the 24th minute.
Outlook
For the first time since the beginning of January, TSG Hoffenheim have close to a week to prepare for their next match, which is at home to Union Berlin on Saturday (15:30 CET).
Match facts
Line-ups
Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Hradecky – Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie – Tella (42, Buendia (67, Hermoso)), Garcia, Xhaka, Grimaldo – Frimpong (84, Arthur), Wirtz (84, Palacios) – Boniface (46, Schick)
TSG Hoffenheim: L. Philipp – Arthur Chaves, Hranáč (73, Mokwa), Akpoguma – Bülter (62, Orban), Becker, Jurásek (62, Behrens) – Geiger (62, Nsoki), Bischof – Hložek, Yardimci (84, Prass)
Goals: 1-0 Boniface (15), 2-0 Frimpong (19), 3-0 Schick (51), 3-1 Orban (62)
Red card for two yellows: Grimaldo (61)
Match highlights
Leverkusen take the lead
Leverkusen switch the play from one edge of the TSG box to the other, before Grimaldo plays a ball inside to Boniface, who takes a first-time shot and finds the back of the net to give Bayer 04 the lead.
The double blow
Leverkusen quickly increase their lead. Garcia takes out the entire TSG backline with a ball over to the top for Frimpong to run onto. He takes the ball in his stride, drives into the area and finishes past Philipp.
Yardimci misses the chance to pull one back
TSG's best chance so far! After a good combination, Jurasek is played clear on the left and his cross into the centre finds Yardimci. However, the striker can't hit the target.
Bülter heads over
TSG have come out strong after the break: Bülter gets his head to a Bischof free-kick, but the ball zips just over the crossbar.
Schick makes it 3-0
Buendia drives into the area at great speed, skips past Bülter and takes a shot. Philipp is able to make the save, but the rebound ends up at the feet of Schick, who places the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net.
Philipp with an incredible save
Leverkusen play their way round TSG in textbook fashion. At the end of a strong move, Wirtz slips Frimpong one-on-one with Philipp. The TSG keeper makes a fantastic reaction save to deny the Dutchman's chipped effort and prevent another goal.
Orban scores seconds after coming on
After a free-kick from Bischof, Leverkusen fail to clear the ball and Orban is quickest to react in the six-yard box, slotting the ball home immediately after coming on as a substitute.
Prass misses a goalscoring opportunity
Hoffenheim continue to push forward and have a great chance through Prass. A cross from Akpoguma arrives at the far post for the Austrian, whose first-time shot is well saved by Hradecky.
Match facts and statistics »
