Late goal snatches three points against Schalke

Markus Babbel opted for an unchanged side from the 3-0 defeat to Mainz last week, for the much sterner test against the Bundesliga's second-placed team and his side started the game positively. Good work up the right-hand side resulted in a ball into the area but no one attacked it. Nevertheless, Usami chased it down at the far side to whip it back into the box where Joselu mistimed his back-post header and it bounced comfortably into the hands of Unnerstall. Less than two minutes later though, Hoffenheim set off on a break. Fabian Johnson intercepted Lewis Holtby's ball and made a driving run up the left wing. His well-timed pass through to Kevin Volland gave the 20 year old a perfect opportunity to shoot just inside the area and he duly tucked the ball low past Unnerstall to put TSG 1-0 in front.

Unfortunately for the home team, Schalke's first goal-threatening chance produced an equaliser after 33 minutes. Jefferson Farfan's corner was aimed deep where Roman Neustädter climbed highest to head low past Tim Wiese. The final actions of the first period required intervention from TSG captain Wiese to prevent the visitors taking the lead. First it was a Jones volley after Usami failed to clear that forced a great reaction save, before the 1899-keeper got up quickly to block out Farfan's rebound with his feet. Then, Afellay was played in by Jones on the break, but Wiese came out quickly and made himself big to save from the Dutchman just before the half time whistle.

The second half continued as the game left off with Wiese producing more heroics. A clever turn from Farfan outside the area gave him space to shoot but he was once again denied by Wiese. The ball rolled out to the edge of the area for a Schalke rebound, but Rudy was able to clear. TSG were under pressure for a long spell but finally had their own attack in the 67th minute. Volland picked up the ball inside the visitors' box and took the ball past Joel Matip, before being brought down by the central defender as he tried to recover. The referee took his time to make a decision but finally opted for a justified penalty. Roberto Firmino stepped up to coolly score from 12 yards and send the hosts into a 2-1 lead against the run of play.

Schalke tried to respond immediately via a Farfan free kick, but again Wiese matched the shot and punched it away. Markus Babbel's men were hanging onto their lead as the away side's dominance was clear for all to see and with just eight minutes to play they claimed another equaliser, albeit in fortunate circumstances. Huntelaar flicked a Farfan cross at goal with his heel, but somehow Wiese blocked the close range effort only for Uchida to tap in the rebound and level things up. Hoffenheim weren't done yet though and once again came forward in the dying stages. Andi Beck's pass to Grifo was brilliantly flicked on and found Sven Schipplock onside and one-on-one with Unnerstall. With practically his first touch, the substitute slid the ball under the Schalke keeper to send the fans inside the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena into raptures and give his side three points.

Good composure in front of goal, as well as some fantastic goalkeeping from the captain, contributed to Hoffenheim's fantastic victory. It's Markus Babbel's side's first win since matchday five and could be the start of a run that the side will hope to continue next Saturday in Düsseldorf.

Matt Hardy

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Wiese – Beck, Vestergaard, Compper, Johnson – Rudy, Williams – Roberto Firmino, Volland (89' Schipplock), Usami (62' Grifo) – Joselu

FC Schalke 04: Unnerstall – Uchida, Höwedes, Matip (83' Papadopoulos, Fuchs – Jones (77' Marica), Neustädter – Farfan, Holtby (64' Draxler), Afellay – Huntelaar

Goals: 1-0 Volland (13'), 1-1 Neustädter (33'), 2-1 Roberto Firmino (67' pen.), 2-2 Uchida (82'), 3-2 Schipplock (90+1'), Yellow cards: Rudy, Compper – Fuchs, Afellay, Huntelaar, Attendance: 30,150, Referee: Deniz Aytekin

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