Hoffenheim Review

August 2009

Hoffenheim's second Bundesliga season was about to get undereway. The opening game against Bayern was a draw, after a goal by Josip Simunic had been disallowed unfortunately. The second home game against Schalke also ended in a draw, although Hoffenheim was the better team.

02.08.: DFB-Pokal: FC Oberneuland vs. 1899 Hoffenheim 0-2 (0-0)
1899 Hoffenheim prevailed in the first round of the DFB-Cup, by beating FC Oberneuland with 2-0. Goals were provided by Chinedu Obasi and Maicousel to send the Bundesliga outfit into the next round. Hoffenheim dominated the game throughout the entire match, but the goals were only scored in the second half.

08.08.: 1899 Hoffenheim vs. FC Bayern München 1-1 (1-1)
Hoffenheim and FC Bayern had to share the points after an exciting and very entertaining 1-1 draw. Both sides had good chances in the second half, with Bayern threatening to take control of the match at one point in the second period, with Hoffenheim then responding with some strong attacking play of their own.

15.08.: Bayer Leverkusen vs. 1899 Hoffenheim 1-0 (0-0)
The hosts dominated throughout the match and were far the greater threat in front of goal. In the second half, Hoffenheim continued to struggle in attack and had Timo Hildebrand to thank on several occasions for keeping the score respectable.

21.08.: 1899 Hoffenheim vs. FC Schalke 04 0-0 (0-0)
In the second home game of the season Hoffenheim was unlucky not to get more out the match. Over the course of the entire match, Hoffenheim were the more engaged side and allowed Schalke no real chances. After the great chances of the first half, 1899 continued to squander opportunities in the second. At the ouset of the second half, Marvin Compper had a golden opportunity to give Hoffenheim the long-awaited lead but could not convert. Substitutions by Ralf Rangnick increased the pressure on Schalke with Demba Ba coming on to have two great chances, each dealt with by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Despite the 0:0 draw, the fans in attendance at the Rhein-Neckar Arena were served with an excellent display of attacking football from their club.

29.08.: Hannover 96 vs. 1899 Hoffenheim 0-1 (0-1)
A lucky 1899 Hoffenheim beat Hannover 96 in what was largely an unappealing match. Hannover came out strong and really set the tone for the first half of the game, setting up many good chances. It was only the host's final inability to convert in front of goal that let Hoffenheim escape going down a goal or two. The surprising goal from Carlos Eduardo in the 40th minute came largely against the run of play. Lamentably, the second half of the match didn't exhibit any increase in quality. Hannover continued to create a few chances while Hoffenheim seldom looked dangerous. Altogether the number of chances by both teams were too few and the spectators were forced to live through a largely incident-free second half. In the end however, this was enough for that all-important first win of the season.