TSG outclass Stuttgart in 4-1 derby win

Markus Gisdol was able to bring recently injured players back into his side for the clash with Stuttgart, as Fabian Johnson and David Abraham returned to the back four, replacing Jannik Vestergaard and Tobias Strobl. Sebastian Rudy and Tarik Elyounoussi also made way from the side that was knocked out of the cup by Wolfsburg midweek, with Kai Herdling and Sven Schipplock getting their chance in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Stuttgart were without their top scorer and former TSG man Vedad Ibisevic through suspension, but looked to impose themselves early on through set-pieces. However, Gisdol's charges dealt with them well and soon found their feet. The left-hand side was looking particularly fruitful, with captain Andi Beck bombing forward from his new position at left back, although it was his counterpart on the opposite side that almost had TSG in front inside three minutes. Fabian Johnson got on the end of a Sejad Salihovic cross from that left flank, only to see his effort blocked on the line by Rani Khedira. Stuttgart responded, but poor decision making from Martin Harnik from a counterattack saw him shoot into the side-netting when he had better options in the centre.

Five minutes later, Hoffenheim were getting joy up that left wing again and this time it resulted in the opening goal. Roberto Firmino took over Beck's run and delivered a troublesome ball for the VfB defence. Goalkeeper Sven Ulreich could only push it out as far as Schipplock, who hammered the rebound high into the net. A fully deserved 1-0 lead for Gisdol's men and one they defended well until half time. Stuttgart rarely threatened to equalise, only coming close with a long-range strike from Moritz Leitner, but Koen Casteels still remained untested. Salihovic was able to show off his shooting ability from distance too, with only the post denying the Bosnian from doubling TSG's advantage.

Action-packed second 45

Hoffenheim started the second half brightly and it wasn't long until they found the second goal that their play deserved. Salihovic's well-timed pass found Volland onside and the Germany U21 international curled a low shot past Ulreich. Markus Gisdol couldn't have asked much more of his side during the interval but somehow they had upped their level early on in the second 45. Another brilliant pass, this time from Firmino, had Volland in again, but he almost had too much time to choose a corner and saw his effort saved by the VfB keeper. The two-goal cushion meant Hoffenheim could now employ the tactic they were best at – counterattacking. Salihovic cleared off the line from a Harnik chance, before substitute Tobias Strobl charged down the pitch with Volland in support. The latter was face-to-face with Ulreich once more and again it was the keeper who came out on top. Not to worry though. Just moments later, another counter saw Firmino play in Schipplock and the striker added to his tally and scored TSG's third with a beautiful chip over the stranded Stuttgart keeper.

The main focus for Hoffenheim now was a rare Bundesliga clean sheet, something that was hardly in doubt until the 78th minute. Casteels was beaten to a Stuttgart corner by Antonio Rüdiger and his header found the back of the net to reduce the gap to two. Thomas Schneider's side suddenly had a second wind but that was taken out of their sails within minutes as Leitner received a second booking and was sent for an early shower, something not to be underestimated in the wet and muddy conditions. Meanwhile, Anthony Modeste had been introduced and his determination also won a penalty for TSG in added time. Roberto Firmino stepped up and put the cherry on the cake with the last kick of the game. A fully deserved 4-1 win for Hoffenheim, one that certainly makes up for the 6-2 defeat to VfB earlier this season. The victory sees Gisdol's men move up to tenth in the table with 25 points, a healthy eight points clear of the relegation play-off spot.

Matt Hardy

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Casteels – Johnson, Abraham, Süle, Beck – Polanski, Salihovic (86' Hamad) – Volland, Firmino, Herdling (62' Strobl) – Schipplock (73' Modeste)

VfB Stuttgart: Ulreich – Rüdiger, Schwaab, Niedermeier, Boka – Harnik (58' Cacau), Khedira (65' Maxim), Leitner, Traore – Abdellaoue, Werner (84' Yalcin)

Goals: 1-0 Schipplock (12'), 2-0 Volland (49'), 3-0 Schipplock (66'), 3-1 Rüdiger (78'), 4-1 Firmino (90+2', pen.)
Yellow cards: Polanski, Volland, Schipplock – Harnik, Ulreich, Khedira, Leitner, Cacau
Red cards: Leitner (80')
Referee: Bastian Dankert
Attendance: 29,847

Match facts and statistics »