2-1 win against FCN keeps survival hopes alive

TSG manager Markus Gisdol made two changes to his side from last weekend's defeat to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. David Abraham returned to central defence alongside Jannik Vestergaard, with Stefan Thesker's start at left back allowing Fabian Johnson to play in an attacking role.

The home side were in fifth gear right from the start. FCN keeper Raphael Schäfer was tested by Johnson inside one minute after the American was picked out by captain Andreas Beck's cross. Roberto Firmino also came close in the third minute with a shot from distance that fizzed past the far post. Hoffenheim didn't have to wait too long to open the scoring though, after lovely combination play allowed Johnson to emerge behind the defence and play a square ball to the unmarked Tobias Weis. The midfielder made no mistake, tapping into an empty net for a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

TSG superior in every department

Hoffenheim continued to provide entertaining football for their home supporters. Volland dribbled in well from the right wing before losing his footing at the vital moment. Johnson followed that up with a long-range strike of his own, this one just going over the bar. Volland could provide the decisive touch in the 23rd minute though, delivering a perfect cross to the back post where Sejad Salihovic was waiting to head Hoffenheim into a 2-0 lead. Nürnberg were struggling to get out of their own half but when they did, the compact TSG defence denied them any shooting opportunities.

Firmino missed the chance to make the lead even bigger in the 28th minute. Another Volland cross provided the opportunity but this time, the man in centre wasn't in the right position to turn the ball in and it drifted wide of the post. TSG continued to dominate for the rest of the half and deservedly held the lead at the break.

TSG straight back on the attack

The changeover didn't disturb Markus Gisdol's side's rhythm and in the 47th minute it looked as though they had added a third. Salihovic's free kick flew beyond everyone and into the net but referee Markus Schmidt ruled the goal out for an infringement in the box. Moments later, Volland had the chance to make up for the goal that wasn't, but he could only head wide from Firmino's cross. Hoffenheim were well and truly the side in command and a well-worked corner routine provided the next chance, however Schäfer made a good save from Weis.

On a rare venture out of their own half, Nürnberg earned a free kick and found a way back into the game. Casteels was penalised for making contact with FCN substitute Niklas Stark and Timmy Simons converted the resulting penalty to make it 2-1 with half an hour to play. While the guests were now having one or two counterattacks, TSG remained the only side testing the goalkeeper. Volland had the last chance of the game after being set up by substitute Joselu, but his strike was too central and dealt with by the visiting keeper. Hoffenheim claimed a deserved three points and as a result keep their hopes alive of achieving Bundesliga survival. The same kind of performance will be needed in their final three games of the season, with some help also required from elsewhere.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Casteels – Beck, Abraham, Vestergaard, Thesker (67' Schorr) – Weis, Rudy, Salihovic (88' Ludwig) – Volland, Firmino (70' Joselu), Johnson

1. FC Nürnberg: Schäfer – Chandler, Dabanli (84' Pekhart), Simons, Plattenhardt - Balitsch, Feulner (46' Stark) – Kiyotake, Frantz (66' Kanazaki), Esswein – Polter

Goals: 1-0 Weis (11'), 2-0 Salihovic (20'), 2-1 Simons (58' pen.)

Yellow cards: Casteels, Rudy – Esswein, Balitsch
Attendance: 28,675
Referee: Markus Schmidt

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