10-man Hoffenheim earn hard fought point

Manager Ralf Rangnick made just one change to the side that played against Bayer Leverkusen with Demba Ba chosen in place of Peniel Mlapa.

A brisk beginning

Whether it was due to the icy temperatures or not, but both teams started the match at a very brisk pace. Hoffenheim, however, dominated the opening exchanges and were dangerous going forward. The best chance coming after a poor defensive clearance fell to Andreas Beck who drilled the ball across goal where Sejad Salihovic was waiting to bang the ball into the back of the net, first time, giving Hoffenheim a deserved 1-0 lead. VfB were not going to give up on the match and Christian Träsch, in particular, was determined to get his team back into the match and it was his double chance that forced two very good blocks out of the Hoffenheim defence. After 1899 took the foot off the pedal, VfB began to exert their own control over the match, but it was actually a counter attack that got them back into the game. Cacau weaved his way through the back line and cut the ball back to Martin Harnik whose powerful effort gave Daniel Haas no chance in the Hoffenheim goal.

1899 rocked before half time

Then after what had been a truly thrilling first half Hoffenheim were dealt a hammer blow before the break. Referee Dr. Jochen Drees misinterpreted a poor challenge by Isaac Vorsah and decided that he viewed it as violent conduct giving himself no choice but to send the Ghanaian defender down the tunnel for an early shower. It was an unfortunate decision that meant Hoffenheim were really up against it in the second half. The loss of Vorsah saw Rangnick make a change at half time and having asked Luiz Gustavo to step into the hole left by the centre-back, he also brought on Tobias Weis in place of Vedad Ibisevic to sure up the midfield.

With the one-man disadvantage Hoffenheim naturally dropped a little deeper, whilst trying to establish themselves going forward using their counter attacking options. VfB took control of possession, but the new look back four were holding their own and gave Stuttgart very few chances in front of goal. The 36,800 fans in attendance were not treated to too much goalmouth action and several stoppages. However, thanks to a courageous and faultless effort by the defence the game remained a stalemate as 1899 battled their way to a hard earned point.

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