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Defeat in Braga confirms TSG’s exit from Europe
Team and Tactics
Julian Nagelsmann made four changes from the side which started the 1-1 draw with Frankfurt at the weekend. Sandro Wagner, who didn’t travel to Portugal because of a stomach upset, was replaced by Andrej Kramaric. Havard Nordveit, Steven Zuber and Nadiem Amiri also came into the Xi, while Kevin Akopoguma, Lukas Rupp and Mark Uth were the men to make way. Oliver Baumann, Kerem Demirbay, Florian Grillitsch, Nico Schulz, Kevin Vogt, Dennis Geiger und Stefan Posch made up the rest oft he starters.
Hoffenhim began in a 3-5-2 formation, with Kevin Vogt (left), Stefan Posch (centre), Havard Nordveit (right) formed the back three as Nico Schulz and Steven Zuber supported them down the wings, with Dennis Geiger, Florian Grillitsch and Kerem Demirbay in the centre. Nadiem Amiri and Andrej Kramaric led the line, but the entire line-up was designed to the visitors from Sinsheim flexibility.
Nagelsmann made his first change at half time. Nordveit, who had suffered a cut from an aerial challenge did not re-emerge for the second half, as Serge Gnabry came on to bolster the attack further and revert the system back to 4-4-2. Mark Uth then replaced Dennis Geiger on the hour and minutes later Adam Szalai celebrated his comeback by subbing in for Steven Zuber. The celebration was short-lived, however, as Szalai was sent off in injury time for elbowing a Braga forward.
Moment of the Match:
Braga’s third goal was an impressive strike that arose from an avoidable error from Hoffenheim. Baumann came outside of his box to clear a long ball forward, only for it to be intercepted in the TSG half, and with the Hoffenheim a long way from goal, Fransergio was able to rifle home into an empty from fully 30 yards. It was the final nail in the coffin as far as TSG’s hopes of progressing were concerned. The goal was a strange one. Much like Hoffenheim’s group stage performances, which have often promised so much, before leaving Julian Nagelsmann’s team empty-handed and without reward.
Number of the Match: 16
Hoffenheim produced 16 shots on goal in Braga, but were only able to turn one of those into a goal. On the other side of the coin, Braga were able to find the back of the net three time from just six attempts, more than enough to make the difference in North Portugal on Thursday.
Match facts and statistics »
