The Hoffenheim experience!

It's been all about entertaining football this season at Hoffenheim. Fewer than three goals is something that has yet to happen in a Bundesliga game of theirs this season. At home there has been a 2-2 draw, two 3-3 draws, and a 2-1 win. The team are undefeated in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar Arena and the fans always have a show to watch. Markus Gisdol praised his side after their comeback against Schalke: “If I wasn't already a fan of my team, I would be after this game.” Captain Andreas Beck said on Sunday: “We play intensive, attacking and risky football. Of course it's frustrating to concede, but we do score. If someone asked me, I'd always take a 3-3 over a 0-0.”

Alexander Rosen, head of professional football at Hoffenheim, summarised the comeback: “Schalke could have won the game based on the first half, but we should have won based on the second half.” In a nearly sold-out home stadium, Boris Vukcevic took centre stage. Exactly a year ago, on September 28th 2012, the midfielder had a serious car accident. The club's number 7 has since recovered and is making good progress. The stadium's show was focused on the 23-year-old and “You'll never walk alone” was sung for him.

Balance found

Nevertheless, it was Schalke who applied pressure from the opening whistle. New-signing Kevin-Prince Boateng scored after only 180 seconds and ten minutes later, Joel Matip made it 2-0. The chances of remaining undefeated at home against Schalke were looking slim. But Hoffenheim wouldn't be the side they have become this year if they hadn't struck back immediately. Anthony Modeste pulled one back after 16 minutes, but before the break, Marco Höger made it 3-1 to restore Schalke's two-goal lead.

After the interval, Markus Gisdol's team played exactly the way he wanted them too: Attractive and attacking football that retained control of the game. “This half of football was the best of the season so far. They showed that you can dominate a game in attack without letting anything through in defence.” TSG finally found the balance between defence and attack and were far closer to the winner than Schalke after Roberto Firmino and David Abraham's goals.

Not much missing

Alexander Rosen was impressed with the comeback, even if the win went amiss. “The team recovered from a difficult situation at half time, recovering from two goals down against a strong team. They didn't throw anything off track and afterwards they were consistent and determined to turn the game around.” It wasn't enough for the win, with the crossbar denying Roberto Firmino four minutes before the end and Benedikt Höwedes saving the day for the visitors to deny Sven Schipplock.

What is the feeling after the game? Hoffenheim can create chances against any opposition and that the team don't sit back, but rather constantly push themselves to their limit. They've won a point against a Champions League participant and the home fans know that they will always be in for an experience when they watch Hoffenheim…

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