Day 6 in Feldkirchen: Delpierre secures draw against Wigan

There hasn't always been much to write home about from the first seven friendly matches of pre-season. The difficult build-up to the new Bundesliga campaign has resulted in some tired legs. However, for the second training camp, the coaching staff have switched focus to the tactical side of the game. The difference was clear for all to see in TSG's first serious test against Wigan Athletic, as a much livelier Hoffenheim took to the pitch. Even the attacking play, which at times has been poor against lower quality teams, seemed to have improved dramatically.

However, there was still a spanner in the works at the start of the match. Hoffe handed control of the match over to Wigan and only reacted to the English side's attacks. As a result, Tim Wiese found himself picking the ball out of the net for the first time as a TSG player; Boselli made full use of a cross to the back post to give the Premier League side the lead. It took being behind to wake the Bundesliga side up. From then on, Hoffenheim dominated the match and created some goal-scoring opportunities, with Matthieu Delpierre able to head his side level from the first one. Shortly afterwards, Daniel Williams emerged alone in front of Mike Pollitt, but his attempted lob over the onrushing keeper dropped wide of the post. Other chances for Joseph-Claude Gyau and Fabian Johnson also came and went.

At the break, Babbel substituted all but Wiese in search of a winner, while Wigan manager Martinez also sent out a refurbished line-up. There was little action in the opening stages of the second half, but as time went on, there was only one team looking likely to score. Wigan offered nothing after the interval as their attacks fizzled out in midfield. But just like in the first half, the Kraichgauer team couldn't convert their chances. In the 68th minute, Vestergaard found himself unchallenged in the penalty area, but the slippery ball bounced unkindly off the Dane's head and went wide. 15 minutes before the end, Sejad Salihovic had a rush of blood and shot from distance, but Pollitt managed to steer his effort behind for a corner. The last chance of the match came two minutes before the end; Stefan Thesker tested Pollitt with a tricky bouncing shot, but the keeper wasn't to be beaten again.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Wiese – Schröck (45' Beck), Vorsah (45' Vestergaard), Delpierre (45' Compper), Johnson (45' Thesker) – Gyau (45' Vukcevic), Williams (45' Weis), Rudy (45' Salihovic), Firmino (45' Braafheid) – Volland (45' Sassi) – Derdiyok (45' Schipplock) .

Goals: 0-1 Boselli (25'), 1-1 Delpierre (37').

Attendance: 500.