FIRST TEAM
09/28/2013

Thrilling draw feels like less

In a thrilling Bundesliga encounter, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim came from behind to share the points with Schalke 04 in a 3-3 draw. Despite going two goals down, Hoffenheim pulled one back only to concede again. In the second half, Gisdol's men controlled the game, drawing level and nearly going on to win it late on.

Koen Casteels returned between the posts, David Abraham recovered from his injury to slot back into the centre of defence and Tarik Elyounoussi replaced Tobias Strobl. Markus Gisdol knew all about the quality that Schalke were arriving with, but even that couldn't prevent the visitors from taking an early lead. A lovely, fluid passing move was finished by the on-rushing Kevin-Prince Boateng who side footed firmly into the top corner to stun the hosts.

Matip then Modeste

TSG tried to settle down and ignore the scoreline. Sadly, they struggled in the face of an intense Schalke side, who soon doubled their lead. Jefferson Farfan delivered a ball into the box from the left-hand side and Joel Matip rose unchallenged to head past Casteels.

This is a different Hoffenheim side though, and remembering the virtues that manager Markus Gisdol instilled in them, TSG struck back. Timo Hildebrand spilled a low cross from Volland, Schalke failed to clear their lines and the on-hand Anthony Modeste fired home from close range, reducing the deficit back to one.

Tempers flare, Höger uses the space

With the game once again hanging in the balance, the number of heavy challenges subdued both sides. Max Meyer nearly reignited that flame with a fantastic pass through the defence for Christian Clemens, but the new signing could only fire over.

With the first half approaching its conclusion, Marco Höger was afforded far too much space and out of nothing, the midfielder ran through to take advantage of a slip from Vestergaard and slot past Casteels. The goal disrupted an otherwise composed Hoffenheim, who were happy to hear the half-time whistle when it came.

Firmino and Abraham set-piece specialists

Gisdol's virtues have been permanently instilled in this Hoffenheim team and the home side's start to the second half demonstrated that perfectly. Three minutes after the restart, Roberto Firmino confidently converted a spot kick after Kevin Volland had been fouled. Gisdol wanted more and nearly got it too but Modeste's curling effort from inside the area was superbly tipped around the post by Hildebrand.

No one would have believed that David Abraham was a free kick specialist before the game, but afterwards there can be no doubt. The centre half curled the ball past the outstretched hands of Hildebrand from 25 yards out to drag Hoffenheim level just after the hour mark.

Bar denies Firmino, no gap for Schipplock

Far from being disrupted by conceding two goals, Schalke nearly retook the lead after Boateng's diving header, but Casteels made a strong parry to keep the scores level.

And with six minutes left in the game, Roberto Firmino nearly won it when he burst through only to be denied by the woodwork. In the last minutes, Sven Schipplock had an even better chance but despite rounding the goalkeeper, the striker couldn't find a way past the defenders on the line and the game finished 3-3.

Jonathan Harding

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim:Casteels – Beck, Abraham, Vestergaard, Johnson (71' Thesker) – Polanski, Salihovic (46' Strobl) – Firmino, Volland, Elyounoussi – Modeste (88' Schipplock)

FC Schalke 04:Hildebrand – Uchida, Höwedes, Matip, Aogo – Jones (86' Neustädter), Höger – Farfan, Meyer (78' Szalai), Clemens (62' Goretzka) - Boateng

Goals: 0-1 Boateng (3'), 0-2 Matip (13'), 1-2 Modeste (16'), 1-3 Höger (40'), 2-3 Firmino (48' pen.), 3-3 Abraham (61')


Yellow cards: Polanski, Elyounoussi, Thesker – Meyer, Boateng

Referee:Daniel Siebert

Attendance:30,000

Match facts and statistics »

Download Now!
Print Page to top