FIRST TEAM
01/26/2013

Lack of concentration costs Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim showed the best and the worst of their game in their 2-1 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt. They found themselves a goal down at the break but battled back with Kevin Volland finally converting one of many openings for TSG. Sadly, it didn't last long as Aigner tapped in minutes later to restore the home side's lead. Despite an entertaining finish, Hoffenheim couldn't find another equaliser as Marco Kurz suffered his first defeat as TSG manager.

After a busy January transfer window for 1899 TSG Hoffenheim, Marco Kurz included some of those new signings in his starting eleven ahead of their game against Eintracht Frankfurt. Luis Advincula and Eugen Polanski both made their Hoffenheim debuts while Patrick Ochs and Joselu also returned to the starting line-up. The two other big signings, David Abraham and Afriyie Acquah, were on the bench.

There was huge excitement ahead of Hoffenheim's away game against Frankfurt as TSG fans were keen to see their new signings in action. It was Tim Wiese who was involved first though, producing a good, diving save to keep out Alexander Meier's header. Both sides battled to get a grip on the game but neither were keen to concede early on. Kevin Volland whipped a free kick over the bar before he was put through by Usami, only to be denied by a good save from Kevin Trapp. Frankfurt then had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be correctly ruled out as the ball had gone out of play during the build up.

Frankfurt started to press for an opening goal and nearly found it from a deep free kick but Aigner failed to get enough of a touch. Hoffenheim then survived another goalmouth scramble as a Frankfurt goal threatened to arrive imminently. Volland then had another opportunity from a set piece but Trapp saved well again. The home fans didn't have to wait long before the opening goal though. Inui clipped the ball through for Lanig who got to it just ahead of Tim Wiese to poke Frankfurt into the lead just after the half-hour mark. It was the last real action of the first half as Hoffenheim sought to reorganise at the break.

Marco Kurz brought on Roberto Firmino in an attempt to put Hoffenheim in control and they were instantly presented with a fantastic opportunity. A ball from the left-hand side found the newly arrived Firmino but his first time effort was saved superbly by Kevin Trapp. It was a huge opportunity for Kurz's men and they were nearly made to pay for it with Karim Matmour's long-range effort but Wiese parried well. Knowing they were only one goal behind, Hoffenheim continued to test Frankfurt. Volland again burst through on the wing but Polanski's effort was blocked well before Trapp denied TSG again, this time parrying Joselu's half volley.

As the hour mark ticked over, both sides were struggling to string enough passes together, which made for a scrappy passage of play. Hoffenheim then created yet another chance when Beck drilled in from the right-hand side. Kevin Volland got there first to flick home with the outside of his boot as TSG finally, and deservedly, drew level. A lack of concentration cost them though, as Frankfurt broke forward and retook the lead instantly from a corner. Tim Wiese was stuck in between his defenders when the corner came in, preventing him from getting a touch. As a result, the ball found its way to Stefan Aigner at the back post who poked in.

Once again, the sides entered a passage of play where extended possession became hard to come by but Frankfurt continued to look the more likely to score. Despite Hoffenheim's late rally, including Tim Wiese's presence in the penalty area, the game drifted to its conclusion as Hoffenheim paid the price for their lack of concentration after equalising.

There were plenty of positives for Kurz's men and they must now try to turn that into a result in their next Bundesliga game, when they return to the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena to face SC Freiburg at 15.30 CET on Saturday 2nd February 2013.

Jonathan Harding

Eintracht Frankfurt:
Trapp – Celozzi, Zambrano, Anderson, Oczipka – Rode, Lanig (70' Schwegler) – Aigner (89' Russ), Meier, Inui (71' Occéan) – Matmour

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim:Wiese – Beck, Delpierre, Vestergaard, Ochs – Weis (76' Derdiyok), Polanski – Advincula (46' Firmino), Volland, Usami (69' Grifo) – Joselu

Goals: 1-0 Lanig (35'), 1-1 Volland (65'), 2-1 Aigner (67')

Yellow cards: Rode, Zambrano, Russ – Advincula, Usami
Attendance: 38,100
Referee:
Dr. Jochen Drees

Match facts and statistics »

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