Debut goal for Derdiyok in 2-0 win in Mannheim

Coach Markus Babbel opted to leave out a large group of players for the match including Fabian Johnson, Isaac Vorsah, Stephan Schröck, Sebastian Rudy, Sejad Salihovic, Boris Vukcevic, Daniel Williams, Matthieu Delpierre and Takashi Usami who is travelling with the Japanese Olympic squad. Sandro Wieser also missed out as he is due to have knee surgery in the coming days. Saturday also saw time come to an end for 1899 trialists Mark Fotheringham and Patrick Ebert who will depart as the squad leaves for their training camp.

Before heading off to Feldkirchen, TSG faced SV Waldhof Mannheim of the fourth division in their sixth pre-season friendly. The first good chance fell the way of the team from Kraichgau, as Kevin Volland found space on the wing and delivered a cross for Eren Derdiyok but Waldhof defender Jure Colak headed safely away. Mannheim also had opportunities in the opening 10 minutes when Massih Wassey tested TSG keeper Jens Grahl with a long distance effort only for it to result in a corner. Grahl was to thank again a minute later when poor defensive positioning allowed Dennis Franzin to hit a low shot, but the goalkeeper saved well.

The away side needed a good 15 minute spell to get a better foothold in the game and hard work put in on the training ground was visible as Hoffenheim were pressing efficiently. It almost paid off as a chance came but Derdiyok aimed his shot a little too far right to cause any major concern for Waldhof keeper Rainer Adolf. Another effort in the 25th minute saw Volland unable to convert from a tight angle. The fans had to wait until just before half time to see the next goal-scoring chance but it produced the opening goal of the game and Derdiyok's first goal in a Hoffenheim shirt. The forward's deflected strike managed to trickle past the beaten Waldhof keeper and into the net.

TSG emerged unchanged after the break, and with the rain setting in, the match started to pick up pace. Just five minutes into the second half Compper had a header cleared off the line while at the other end Grahl was called on again to save a treacherous bouncing shot from Dautaj. Waldhof substitute Karapetjan had the chance to equalise at his mercy when he was put through one on one but his shot from the penalty spot wasn't good enough to beat Grahl. After an hour of play Babbel made three changes with Sven Schipplock replacing Derdiyok, Ahmed Sassi on for Volland and Joseph-Claude Gyau on in place of Filip Malbasic. Shortly afterwards, Ryan Babel was also substituted for Michael Gregoritsch.

The travelling fans thought it was all over in the 77th minute when a parry from the SV keeper fell to Schipplock, but he failed to make use of it. The TSG fans didn't have to wait much longer though as the next attack did bring about the decisive second goal thanks to a sumptuous driven shot by Gyau. It brought about the final 2-0 scoreline in an otherwise average game.

SV Waldhof Mannheim: Adolf – Stiller, Geiger, Colak, Huckle – Franzin (73. Kochendörfer), Wagner, Zeric, Lauretta (89. Memic) - Dautaj, Wassey (46. Karapetjan)

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Grahl – Beck, Vestergaard, Compper, Thesker – Malbasic (60. Gyau), Weis, Braafheid, Babel (67. Gregoritsch) – Volland (60. Sassi) – Derdiyok (60. Schipplock).

Goals: 0-1 Derdiyok (42.), 0-2 Gyau (77.). Attendance: 2,370. Referee: Marcel Göpferich (Bretten). Cards: Yellow for Colak – Braafheid, Schipplock.