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Opening match defeat at TSV Steinbach
Line-up & Tactics
Eight players in the TSG starting line-up made their U23 debut and stood on the pitch for kick-off. Only skipper Robin Szarka, midfielder Theodoros Politakis and right winger Nicolas Wähling were part of last season's squad "Hoffe Two".
Stefan Drljača moved up from the U19s and started in goal. The back four defensive line was made up of both centre-backs, Philipp Strompf and Moody Chana, with Alfons Amade at right-back and Filip Rettig on the left. Manager Marco Wildersinn put Szarka in the central defensive midfielder position, with Politakis and Christoph Baumgartner taking on central roles in attacking midfield.
The three attackers upfront included two wingers, Wähling and Domenico Alberico with one centre-forward in the form of Thomas Gösweiner.
The Scene of the Match
The red card which was awarded in the 30th minute was not the only reason for the defeat, but with temperatures of 26 degrees, it's incredibly difficult to play a full hour with a man short; especially against a savvy team such as Steinbach. Whether Robin Szarka's actions deserved a red card or not, will be debated, but the fact is that "Hoffe two" could only hold on for half an hour. Nine minutes before the end, the opponents scored a second goal.
The number of the game
1 - The first game of the new season saw the first defeat. This was supported by the first dismissal of captain Robin Szarka's career. Neither in youth teams nor in the senior teams had Szarka ever been asked to leave the pitch.
Shorthand report
TSV Steinbach Haiger - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim II 2-1 (0-1)
Steinbach: Löhe - Kunert, Herzig, Reith, Strujic (56' Heister), Marquet, Trkulja, Bisanovic, Wegner (56' Candan), Budimbu, Bektasi (74' Göttel).
Hoffenheim: Drljača - Amade, Chana, Strompf, Rettig, Szarka, Baumgartner (72' Ludwig), Politakis (26' Bender), Wähling, Alberico (82' Foshag), Gösweiner.
Goals: 0-1 Alberico (9'), 1-1 Trkulja (60', Foulelfmeter), 2-1 Candan (81'). Spectators: 1,089. Officials: Justus Zorn (Freiburg). Cards Awarded: Red for Szarka (30', grave foul-play); Yellow for Marquet, Herzig / Bender, Strompf.
Match facts and statistics »
