TSG beat Schalke to continue impressive start

Tactics and line-up:

Markus Gisdol only made one change to the team that drew 0-0 away to 1. FSV Mainz 05 on the last matchday. The rotation of strikers continued this week, with Adam Szalai coming in for Anthony Modeste up front. Meanwhile, Julian Draxler made his return to Bundesliga action for FC Schalke 04 after completing a two-match ban.

Hoffenheim once again started the match in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but tended to switch to a 4-4-2 when defending. TSG's tactic of not pressing at every opportunity from kick-off but focusing on having a solid defence paid off. The Royal Blues sloppily gave the ball away for Hoffenheim's two goals, which were trademark counterattacks from Gisdol's men.

Highlights:

2nd minute: Early chance for the home team. Volland takes over possession and shoots from the right, but his shot is saved by S04 keeper Fährmann, who has to stay alert for a rebound from Szalai.

11th minute: Schalke defender Neustädter loses the ball and Volland finds Szalai to the right of the penalty area. Ralf Fährmann is able to save again though, keeping out the Hungarian's effort with his leg.

13th minute: GOOAAALLL for Hoffenheim! 1-0: Elyounoussi nets his fourth of the season after great build-up play from Kevin Volland and Firmino. The winger only has to tap the ball home from close range to give TSG the lead.

22nd minute: Firmino finds space in S04's defence, but his left-footed strike is comfortably saved by Schalke keeper Fährmann.

27th minute: Yet another chance for Firmino. Volland, Szalai and Süle slip the ball through Schalke's defence to set up the perfect opportunity for Firmino who is waiting in the centre, but again the Brazilian fails to find the back of the net.

29th minute: GOOOAAAALLLL for Hoffenheim!!! 2-0: Royal Blues midfielder Marco Höger is dispossessed by Polanski and TSG counter. Firmino feeds the ball beautifully into the path of Adam Szalai, who clinically fires home against his former club.

36th minute: A huge chance to make it 3-0! A great long ball from Rudy finds Szalai, who takes it down in style before squaring for Firmino, but the number 10 is denied from close range by Ralf Fährmann.

58th minute: A close shave for Schalke! The Royal Blues narrowly avoid conceding a third goal after dangerous link-up play between Elyounoussi, Szalai and Firmino in the penalty area. In the end, a Schalke player just about clears off the line.

74th minute: Sven Schipplock's long-range shot prompts a gasp from the home supporters in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena, but Fährmann is to tip it around the post.

76th minute: Rudy's free kick finds Tarik Elyounoussi in the centre, but the Norwegian can only head wide of the right-hand post.

78th minute: Schipplock tries yet again to get his name on the scoresheet, but Fährmann is there once more to keep him out from just inside the box.

83rd minute: GOAL for Schalke. 2-1: Klaas Jan Huntelaar skips through TSG's defence and fires the ball past Baumann, but it's too little, too late from the visitors.

87th minute: Schalke have a lot to thank Fährmann for. This time, S04's keeper comes out on top in a one-on-one with Steven Zuber.

Moment of the match: Gisdol's team

Oliver Baumann had to receive some treatment in the 23rd minute. Markus Gisdol used the opportunity to call the players anywhere near his technical zone over to him. After taking on some water, the manager started handing out instructions. Gisdol spoke with both his hands and his feet, showing the commitment and emotional investment required – and the team followed suit.

Number of the game: 8

TSG have played seven Bundesliga matches so far this season. Defeats? No chance! Hoffenheim also won the last game in the previous campaign at home to Braunschweig. After some difficult maths, we get 7+1=8. A club record for TSG. Eight league matches without loss has only been done once before in the club's history – from April to September 2010.

Match facts and statistics »