TSG left reeling by four-goal Nürnberg

After Bayern Munich got the second half of the 2013/14 Bundesliga season started on Friday night, Saturday saw a number of other teams restart their campaigns, Hoffenheim included. Koen Casteels was back between the posts, Sven Schipplock was deemed match fit and so started in attack and new signing Jiloan Hamad started on the right wing.

Despite having not won in the whole of the first half of the season, 1. FC Nürnberg started the game keen to change that fact. Daniel Ginczek's weaving run caused some problems but his cross was cleared. And although Hoffenheim ventured forward on a few counterattacks, – most notably with Rudy's deflected shot being cleared – it was the home side who continued to keep the ball in Hoffenheim's half.

Deflection gives FCN the lead

A tactical battle in midfield seemed to turn the tide, but not for long as the hosts soon converted their pressure. Timothy Chandler's long-range effort was unfortunately deflected by Jannik Vestergaard, leaving Koen Casteels no chance at the near post. Markus Gisdol's men tried to respond but found it difficult to find a way past a determined and well-positioned Nürnberg side.

Niklas Süle has impressed so far this season and has cemented his place in the heart of defence. He couldn't however get his clearing header right defending an FCN free kick and Josip Drmic doubled their lead from close-range. Mike Frantz fired a low effort wide before the half, as Hoffenheim were left reeling.

New half, new result?

With a new set of 45 minutes, TSG had new plans. Sadly, within four minutes Gisdol's men found themselves a further goal down as Daniel Ginczek finished from Mike Frantz's aerial through ball. Gisdol responded instantly by bringing Kevin Volland on for Elyounoussi. The hour-mark came and Hoffenheim scored thanks to Niklas Süle's header only to see it cancelled out for an offside earlier in the play.

Firmino's winding run moments later nearly ended in a goal only for substitute Ondrej Petrak to clear the ball off the line. It was starting to look like it just wasn't going to be Hoffenheim's day. Gisdol made one final attacking change bringing on Anthony Modeste, but it was to no avail. On the 70-minute mark, that much was confirmed when Josip Drmic's low shot across goal hit the post and went in.

Move on swiftly

Nürnberg's body language was more positive and the final 15 minutes, much like the game itself, slipped away from Hoffenheim. The club will have a chance to make up for this weekend's performance when they host Hamburger SV next Saturday on February 1st.

Jonathan Harding

1. FC Nürnberg: Schäfer – Chandler, Nilsson (55' Petrak), Pinola, Plattenhardt – Frantz – Drmic, Feulner, Kiyotake (79' Gebhart), Hlousek – Ginczek (77' Pekhart)

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Casteels – Beck, Süle, Vestergaard, Johnson (46' Toljan) – Polanski, (66' Modeste) Rudy – Hamad, Firmino, Elyounoussi (53' Volland) – Schipplock

Goals: 1-0 Chandler (24'), 2-0 Drmic (41'), 3-0 Ginczek (49'), 4-0 Drmic (70')

Yellow cards: Chandler – Firmino, Modeste, Rudy

Referee: Knut Kircher

Attendance: 36,000

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