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Freiburg narrowly beat TSG in an intense battle
Squad and tactics
Julian Nagelsmann lined up the following starting XI for the Baden derby: Oliver Baumann, Pavel Kaderabek, Havard Nordtveit, Lukas Rupp, Sandro Wagner (back after illness), Steven Zuber, Benjamin Hübner (returned after muscle strain), Kevin Vogt, Andrej Kramaric, Dennis Geiger and Robin Hack (Bundesliga debut for the 19-year-old winger, who signed his first professional contract for TSG in the summer).
And the strategies? Very dynamic. TSG mainly played with four at the back, consisting of Zuber and Kaderabek on the wings and Nordtveit and Hübner in the centre. Vogt played in the “six” and was supported by Kramaric and Rupp in front of him. Hoffenheim played with a diamond in midfield, but repeatedly reverted to the “six” with three players in a line. Wagner and debutant Hack were up front in possession, but Vogt fell back between Nordtveit and Hübner in defence.
Nagelsmann had to make his first substitution in the 42nd minute – Hack picked up an injury on his debut in an aerial battle and could not continue. Philipp Ochs came on in his place and the formation changed to an “eight”. Kramaric joined Wagner in attack and Lukas Rupp didn’t emerge from the dressing room as he was injured shortly after and was replaced by Florian Grillitsch. TSG then changed to a 3-5-2 formation and Vogt played as centre back in the back three. Geiger played in front of him and Grillitsch and Ochs formed the “eight”. Nagelsmann made an early final substitution in the 64th minute – Nico Schulz came onto the left wing in place of Zuber.
TSG completely reorganised 13 minutes before the final whistle. They switched back to four at the back as Benjamin Hübner moved up front to play alongside Sandro Wagner. The attacker had thrown up on the pitch just before but was able to continue.
Moment of the match
Kevin Vogt and Robin Hack had a clash of heads outside the box after a corner in the 39th minute. The TSG youngster’s head didn’t come out of the collision well and both the Hoffenheim team doctor and a physiotherapist came onto the field. SC Freiburg’s team doctor also came onto the pitch to aid his Hoffenheim counterpart help the clearly dazed 19-year-old off the field. Thank you to him – fairness and sportsmanship at its finest.
Number of the match: 1
Robin Hack made his first Bundesliga appearance for TSG and also scored his first goal. Unfortunately, TSG also lost for the first time this Bundesliga season on the seventh matchday.
Match facts and statistics »
