FIRST TEAM
05/02/2015

Spoils shared with Dortmund

A high-tempo game between TSG and Borussia Dortmund finished 1-1 on matchday 31 in the Bundesliga. Hoffenheim put in a solid performance, threw everything at their opponents and were the better side for long periods, but ultimately had to settle for a point.

Line-up and formation:

Markus Gisdol made two changes to the side that secured an important three points in Hannover. Captain Andreas Beck and Kevin Volland both returned to the starting XI after missing out through suspension last weekend. Tobias Strobl picked up his fifth yellow of the season last time out and was serving a one-match ban, while Sebastian Rudy was unavailable due to illness.

TSG set up with a back four of Beck, Ermin Bicakcic, David Abraham and Jeremy Toljan in front of Oliver Baumann. Eugen Polanski and Pirmin Schwegler occupied the holding-midfield roles, while Volland and Roberto Firmino were out on the wings. Anthony Modeste and Adam Szalai lead the line.

Match highlights: 

4th minute: Solid start to the game from TSG. Slick build-up play results in Volland sliding the ball through to Anthony Modeste, but Mitchell Langerak denies the forward from giving the hosts an early lead.

33rd minute: GOOOAAALLL for Hoffenheim! Pirmin Schwegler slips the ball through to Kevin Volland, who powers past Marcel Schmelzer and rifles the ball into the far corner of the net from a tight angle. What a finish!

35th minute: GOAL for Dortmund. The visitors immediately respond to falling behind and put themselves back on level terms. Henrikh Mkhitaryan whips the corner in and Mats Hummels heads past Oliver Baumann. The Hoffenheim no. 1 looked to have been unsighted though with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang occupying an offside position just in front of him.

43rd minute: Real opportunity for Anthony Modeste to fire TSG back in front. He capitalises on Mats Hummels’ error, beats the on-rushing Langerak to the ball before skipping past the Dortmund keeper. Unfortunately, he lacks composure and fires wide into the side netting. 

46th minute: First chance of the second half falls to the hosts. Kevin Volland picks the ball up and surges forward before unleashing a venomous drive, but his effort misses the target. 

47th minute: It’s end-to-end at the start of the second 45. The visitors charge straight down the other end and have a fantastic opportunity to go 2-1 up. Henrikh Mkhitaryan delivers a dangerous low cross, but fortunately Kagawa is unable to connect cleanly and his effort trickles wide.

58th minute: Modeste finds himself in behind the Dortmund defence once again but drags his attempt well wide of the far post in a one-on-one with Langerak.  

61st minute: It’s just not Modeste’s day. The TSG forward gets the better of Langerak in an aerial duel, but the goalkeeper recovers to make a good block and once again deny TSG from retaking the lead.

62th minute: So close! Firmino rises highest from the resulting corner, only to head the ball against the crossbar and Dortmund manage to clear.

64th minute: Let-off for TSG as Aubameyang goes unbelievably close to putting the visitors in front. The Gabon international races in behind the defence, who are playing a high line as the team go in search of the winner, and his effort whistles just past the far post.

87th minute: Cracking save from Baumann! Aubameyang surges down the right before squaring for substitute Ciro Immobile, but Baumann blocks with his legs to prevent Dortmund from snatching all three points at the death.

Moment of the match:

Aubameyang, the quickest player in the Bundesliga, latched on to a through ball and had a clear run at Baumann in the 57th minute. Who was hot on his heels? None other than David Abraham, TSG’s fastest Argentine. He not only caught up with the attacker but cleanly won the ball and rid the danger – a perfect example of outstanding defending.

Number of the match: 15

That is the number of attempts on goal TSG had during the course of the game. The home side had five times as many efforts as BVB and Anthony Modeste alone had six clear-cut chances. It was an excellent performance from the entire team.

Match facts and statistics »

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