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Kramarić marks comeback with goal as TSG win
Personnel and tactics:
Andrej Kramarić, TSG's record goalscorer in the Bundesliga, replaced fellow forward Ihlas Bebou in the starting line-up on his return to action. The other change to the team that beat Bayern Munich before the international break was Kevin Vogt stepping in for Florian Grillitsch, who missed out with a knock. The back four in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann consisted of Stefan Posch, Kevin Akpoguma, Benjamin Hübner and Robert Skov.
Sebastian Rudy and Dennis Geiger started alongside Vogt in central midfield, with Pavel Kadeřábek and the returning Kramarić occupying the wing-forward roles either side of lone frontman Sargis Adamyan.
Alfred Schreuder made his first substitution at the break, bringing on Ihlas Bebou for Geiger. Vogt subsequently dropped into the back three with Posch and Skov playing at full-back. The second change followed in the 62nd minute when Adamyan made way for Lukas Rupp. The third and final switch came with the score at 1-0, with Ermin Bičakčić introduced in place of Posch in the 76th minute to shore up the defence.
Moment of the match:
The opening goal: substitute Bebou dribbled around half the Schalke defence before seeing his shot parried away by Nübel in the Schalke goal. But the loose ball fell to Kramarić, who made no mistake on his comeback.
Number of the game: 155
The match against Schalke 04 today was the first time Andrej Kramarić has featured in the Bundesliga since helping TSG win 4-2 in Mainz some 155 days ago. The Croatian injured his knee over the summer and missed the first two months of the season.
Line-ups:
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Posch (Bičakčić), 76, Akpoguma, Hübner, Skov – Vogt, Rudy, Geiger (Bebou, 46) – Kadeřábek, Kramarić – Adamyan (Rupp, 62)
FC Schalke 04: Nübel – Kenny (Kabak, 86), Stambouli, Sané, Oczipka – Schöpf, Mascarell – Caligiuri (Kutucu, 78), Harit, Matondo (Uth, 57) – Burgstaller
Goals: 1-0 Kramarić (71), 2-0 Bebou (85)
Match highlights
Schalke almost take the lead when Caligiuri fires a free-kick at goal from 25 metres out, but fortunately for TSG it strikes the bar.
TSG lose the ball in a promising position and Schalke counter but, despite being in acres of space, Schöpf shoots narrowly wide with his left foot from 17 metres.
A nice counter-attacking move involving Skov, Adamyan and Rudy culminates in Posch firing wide with a first-time effort.
Bebou embarks upon a sensational solo run from the centre circle to the penalty area before going for goal. Nübel makes a strong save, but Kramarić pounces on the loose ball and slots home.
A long ball is played up to Bebou, who gets the better of Sané before firing coolly into the corner. Nübel didn't stand a chance.
Match facts and statistics »
