Clinical Bremen – unfortunate defeat for Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim, who entered the game with same starting formation that secured a 2-0 away victory in Augsburg last weekend, came of to a flying start. Just a few seconds into the game, a deflected Beck cross eventually ended up if Firminio, who was left unmarked in Bremen's area, but his shot from 13 metres went well wide. Two minutes later, Edson Braafheid managed to get a bit closer to the hosts lead, but Bremen keeper Tim Wiese made a good save. It was a promising start for Hoffenheim, as they clearly entered the game looking to put pressure on Bremen's shaky defence.

Hoffenheim control the game

Unfortunately, Hoffenheim's offensive surge did not continue in this fashion. But on a good note, the visitors were unable to create chances of their own. The first notable came after 15 minutes, but Pizarro missed from close range. A lively game developed, in which Hoffenheim continued to have slight advantages in terms of possession and passing accuracy. Chances at either end were rare however, until the 37th minute. It was a similar situation to the first chance of the game, again Beck set up Firminho in the area and again Bremen's defence were not up to speed as Firminho had plenty of time to spin around and place the ball in the back of the net leaving Wiese chanceless.

Bremen didn't take find a reply, as not even 60 seconds had gone by since Hoffenheim's opener, when the Arnautovic struck back to level the score. Marvin Compper underestimated a Schmitz cross to the edge of the area and Arnautovic had snuck in behind him to collect the ball, charge past keeper Tom Starke to slot home for the 1-1 halftime score.

Bremen come out stronger

Neither team made use of their substitutions at half time, but Bremen's coach Schaaf seemed to have found the right words in the locker room at half time, as his players showed a more determined performance in the second half. Hoffenheim again recorded the first big chance however. Obasi fired a dangerous shot on target after a Babel pass, but Wiese's superb save denied Hoffenheim the lead. At the other end of the pitch, Isaac Vorsah rose to the challenge, as he successfully kept the Bremen strikers at bay time and again. The game lost most of the pace from the first half and Bremen were visibly becoming stronger.

In the 74th minute Bremen made two substitutions. Mehmet Ekici and Markus Rosenberg replaced Arnautovic and Marin. Holger Stanislawski followed in the 79th minute with a double substitution, as Braafheid and Firminho left the pitch and Peniel Mlapa and Sven Schipplock entered. This was a clear sign from the Hoffenheim coach to continue attacking the three points, as Babel just missed two decent opportunities within a couple of minutes.

Unfortunate defeat

Hoffenheim failed to score up front and at the other end of the pitch Bremen displayed their clinical finishing abilities. Pizarro crossed the ball from the right wing and Rosenberg's volley was deflected, leaving Starke no chance to stop the ball (84'). Stanislawski attempted to swing the game around in his favour again, as he brought the fifth striker with Prince Tagoe shortly after Bremen scored the 2-1. In the end, it wasn't meant to be as Bremen successfully defended their one goal lead and Hoffenheim recorded an unfortunate home defeat.

Match facts and statistics »