Second-half goal rush sees Hoffenheim progress

After all the hard work of preseason, Hoffenheim faced fifth-division team SG Aumund-Vegesack in the first round of the German Cup on “Pitch 11” near to SV Werder Bremen's Weserstadion.

Tarik Elyounoussi and Anthony Modeste made their debuts, and there were also starts for Tobias Strobl in defensive midfield and Stefan Thesker at left back.

Early pressure brings no reward

Keen to avoid the embarrassment of last year's first-round exit, Hoffenheim were on the front foot straight from the start. Modeste tested Meyer-Wersinger from the angle, before an unmarked Kevin Volland clipped the outside of the post from inside the box. Gisdol's men were enjoying the lion's share of possession against an understandably nervous opposition; it only seemed a matter of time before a goal would come.

After 20 minutes and a drinks break, that goal had yet to appear as a stubborn Vegesack defence stood firm. Some heavy challenges flew in from the home team as they tried to subdue a frustrated TSG. Volland fired a free kick into the wall, before Modeste once again forced a good save from Meyer-Wersinger. Volland had a long-range effort spilled, but Daniel Rosenfeldt cleared in time to keep the scores level at the interval.

Firmino breaks the deadlock

The second half started much the same as the first, and Hoffenheim's frustration looked as though it was set to continue. A misplaced pass in midfield allowed Gisdol's men to counter attack and, after some neat passing, Roberto Firmino turned and fired into the bottom corner to give TSG the lead.

Seven minutes later, and Hoffenheim had added two more goals. Substitute Sebastian Rudy found Firmino on the right-hand side of the box and the Brazilian squared the ball for Modeste to tap in for his first Hoffenheim goal. After another piece of good work from Rudy, Elyounoussi had space on the left to pick out the Frenchman who scored his second – Hoffenheim's third – of the afternoon.

Raining goals

The hosts grew tired and mistakes started to follow. Firmino soon had his second of the game, curling in from the left corner of the six-yard box after the ball fell to him. The goals kept coming as substitute Sven Schipplock's free header was flicked over the line by David Abraham to make it 5-0 to Hoffenheim.

Abraham was denied a second after a fine save from Meyer-Wersinger but then Schipplock added two of his own – twice smashing in from close range. Youngster Kai Herdling soon got in on the act with two goals of his own: A sensational bicycle-kick was followed by a sweeping, close-range strike.

It may have taken them a while to get going but in the end, Hoffenheim's superior quality and fitness proved decisive. Their next game will be the 2013/14 Bundesliga opener: A home match against 1. FC Nürnberg on Saturday, August 10th at 15:30 CET.

Jonathan Harding

SG Aumund-Vegesack: Meyer-Wersinger – Rosenfeldt, Nukic, Göcke, Uslu – Basdas, Block – Kök (62' Märtens), Hodzic (74' Felis), Husmann (62' Metschuck) – Mulert

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Casteels – Beck, Abraham, Vestergaard, Thesker – Strobl (31' Rudy), Polanski – Volland, Firmino, Elyounoussi (70' Herdling) – Modeste (63' Schipplock)

Goals: 0-1 Firmino (52'), 0-2 Modeste (56'), 0-3 Modeste (58'), 0-4 Firmino (66'), 0-5 Abraham (70'), 0-6 Schipplock (80'), 0-7 Schipplock (81'), 0-8 Herdling (85'), 0-9 Herdling (86')

Yellow cards: Göcke, Rosenfeldt, Basdas - Elyounoussi

Attendance: 5,000

Referee: Martin Thomsen

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