TSG overcome Augsburg in Bundesliga opener!

Tactics and line-up:

Markus Gisdol named four new signings in his team for the Bundesliga opener: Oliver Baumann, Ermin Bicakcic, Jin-Su Kim and Adam Szalai all solidified their places in the starting XI during pre-season. There were no changes to the system though: TSG continued in the 4-2-3-1 formation that brought them so much success last season – going forward at least. Roberto Firmino, Kevin Volland and Tarik Elyounoussi were tasked with helping creating the chances in attack on this occasion.

There was a fluidity to the system too: Firmino often lined up alongside Szalai to help disturb Augsburg's attempts to build from the back, while Volland and Elyounoussi occasionally dropped back next to defensive midfielders Eugen Polanski and Sebastian Rudy to help outnumber FCA in midfield.

Match highlights:

24th minute: A great effort for Matavz, who takes on a first-time shot from a long, diagonal ball. It goes wide of the far post, but Oliver Baumann had it covered.

30th minute: The best chance of the game so far. Adam Szalai shows his quality and awareness, letting Andi Beck's pass run on. Robert Firmino picks it up and fires a right-footed shot from 20 yards, but the ball zips just over the crossbar.

33rd minute:GOOAAALLL for Hoffenheim! 1-0: There's chaos in the Augsburg penalty area following a corner. One man remains composed though – Adam Szalai. The Hungarian grabs his first Bundesliga goal for TSG in his first game.

34th minute:GOOAAALLL for Hoffenheim! 2-0: A quickfire double for Gisdol's men! A textbook counterattack: Firmino picks up the ball, squares it to the better-placed Elyounoussi and the Norwegian can't miss. TSG are fired up!

75th minute:Tarik Elyounoussi is bearing down on goal and Callsen-Bracker gives chase. The FCA man brings down the TSG attacker just outside the box, as the last man and already on a yellow card. Referee Tobias Stieler shows the defender mercy though.

81st minute:Kevin Volland looks to be in, but his touch just lets him down as he reaches the area and Augsburg can clear at the last second.

Moment of the match:

TSG's second goal was textbook Hoffenheim: Winning the ball early through aggressive pressing, breaking quickly, showing purposeful approach play and finishing clinically. Sebastian Rudy, Roberto Firmino and Tarik Elyounoussi sum up the essence of TSG's footballing concept in a matter of seconds. It's Hoffenheim-esque.

Number of the match:5

It's a number that was so prominent in the cup game against Paloma, but this time it doesn't represent the number of goals Sven Schipplock scored. TSG are now unbeaten in their last five home games. In fact, only one of the last eleven games in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena has ended in defeat. It could be time to start talking of a home fortress for TSG.

Match facts and statistics »