Super-sub Schipplock wins it for TSG

Early lead

Hoffenheim began the match confidently and enjoyed a dream start, going 1-0 inside two minutes. Wolfsburg keeper Diego Benaglio made a strong save after Daniel Williams' powerful run and shot, but Firmino was on hand to tuck in the rebound from five yards.

Markus Babbel's team were in the ascendancy and should have gone 2-0 up just five minutes later. A superb pass from Sebastian Rudy released Lakic down the left. The Croat surged towards goal and then laid the ball along the six-yard box for Firmino, but the Brazilian could only sky his effort over the bar with the goal gaping (17')

The Wolfsburg defence was at sixes and sevens and looked vulnerable each time TSG came forward, prompting cries of frustration from the home fans. At the back for 1899, the defensive partnership of Jannik Vestergaard and Marvin Compper were looking solid. Ashkan Dejagah could only send a speculative effort well wide, and was then crowded out in the box in his attempt to get a shot away (26').

Hoffenheim in command

Towards the half hour mark, the home side began to steady the ship and enjoy more possession. And when they did get past the defence, Tom Starke stood up well in goal. He denied Dejagah with a strong parry and then saved from Sebastian Polter‘s close range header (35', 37'). Hoffenheim still looked dangerous on the break and could have added to their lead, but Ryan Babel's cross was nicked off Firmino's toes and Benaglio smothered at the feet of Lakic. After an entertaining first half, the side went into the break with Hoffenheim deservedly a goal in front.

Babbel decided against making any changes to his team for the start of the second half and again it was Hoffenheim that came closest to finding the net again. Firmino's effort from 18 yards was palmed away by Benaglio, before Babel glanced a header wide when the ball was sent back into the box (53'). And on the hour mark came an even better chance for TSG to double their advantage. Fabian Johnson, playing at left back today, embarked on a foray forward and danced his way into a shooting position, but was denied by the legs of Benaglio. Firmino then flashed a drive jus wide, as Hoffenheim began to turn the screw.

Wolfsburg equalise

The, almost out of nothing Wolfsburg found an equalising goal. There didn't seem to be much danger when Marcel Schäfer played a one two with Polter on the left. But the Wolfsburg man continued into the box and collided with Andreas Beck. It looked like an innocuous challenge, but referee Markus Schmidt awarded a penalty and Patrick Helmes stepped up to convert (69').

To their credit, Hoffenheim roared back and came within a whisker of taking the lead. Lakic created some indecision in the Wolfsburg defence, causing Benaglio to spill the ball at the feet of Boris Vukcevic, but his shot was cleared off the line by Christian Träsch (72'). Then there was a moment of controversy as substitute Sven Schipplock's header was kept out by Benaglio, despite the ball looking like it had crossed the line (77').

Schipplock has final say

Suddenly the game had become stretched as both sides went looking for a winner. Giovanni Sio's fierce drive was tipped round the pos by an agile stop from Starke, before Rudy couldn't take the ball in his stride from Vukcevic's cross. 1899 sensed the game was there for the taking and they finally got the goal they deserved with six minutes remaining. Rudy released Schipplock and the striker kept his composure to beat Benaglio for his first Bundesliga goal (84').

Starke produced two strong punches to clear the danger as Wolfsburg launched cross after cross into the box looking for a second equaliser, and referee Schmidt soon blew for full time. It was a deserved win for TSG and their first under new manager Babbel. Next week they face another important match at home to 1. FC Köln.

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