FIRST TEAM
05/27/2020

TSG win fiery clash with Cologne

TSG Hoffenheim claimed their first win since the Bundesliga restart as they beat 1. FC Cologne 3-1 (1-0) on Matchday 28. The key performer in their victory was Christoph Baumgartner, who notched two goals and an assist. The result sees TSG move up to seventh place in the table. The only downside was the dismissal of captain Benjamin Hübner, who was sent off for two bookable offences.

Personnel & tactics:

Head coach Alfred Schreuder made three changes to the starting XI that drew 1-1 at SC Paderborn at the weekend, with Diadie Samassékou, Jacob Bruun Larsen and Munas Dabbur the new additions. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was protected by an unchanged back four of Pavek Kadeřábek, Stefan Posch, Benjamin Hübner and Steven Zuber. Samassékou, who was replacing Rudy, played in midfield alongside Florian Grillitsch, with Christoph Baumgartner positioned slightly further forward.

Bruun Larsen played on the left of the front three, with fellow Dane Robert Skov over on the opposite flank. Dabbur started as the lone frontman in place of Ihlas Bebou.

Sebastian Rudy replaced Grillitsch at the half-time interval. Hoffenheim reacted to Hübner's dismissal by making another substitution, introducing Håvard Nordtveit to reinforce the defence in the 52nd minute. Another change followed six minutes later as Bebou replaced Dabbur up front in a like-for-like switch. Dennis Geiger was then introduced in place of the outstanding Baumgartner in the 77th minute.

Moment of the match:

The second goal: play had only been back under way for 35 seconds when Christoph Baumgartner headed home a cross from Robert Skov to put the hosts 2-0 ahead. Steven Zuber converted a brilliant assist from Baumgartner to extend the lead to 3-0 only two minutes later.

Number of the game: 14

This was the 14th time that TSG Hoffenheim have taken the lead this season – and they have not lost a single match after opening the scoring. Their record in those games makes for impressive reading: 11 wins and three draws.

Line-ups:

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Kadeřábek, Posch, Hübner, Zuber – Samassékou, Grillitsch (Rudy, 46) – Baumgartner (Geiger, 77) – Skov, Bruun Larsen (Nordtveit, 52) – Dabbur (Bebou, 58)

1. FC Cologne: Horn – Ehizibue (Mere, 32), Bornauw, Leistner, Schmitz (Schmitz, 82) – Skhiri, Rexhbecaj – Drexler (Kainz, 55), Uth (Terodde, 82), Jakobs – Cordoba (Modeste, 82)

Goals: 1-0 Baumgartner (11), 2-0 Baumgartner (46), 3-0 Zuber (48), 3-1 Kainz (60)

Match highlights

11. Min.

Lovely attack from TSG. A long pass is played over to Bruun Larsen on the left. The Dane looks up and intelligently squares the ball into the centre towards Baumgartner, who slots home from 10 metres out.

26. Min.

Bornauw is initially booked following a studs-up challenge on Baumgartner. But the video assistant referee intervenes and the Cologne centre-back is instead given his marching orders.

37. Min.

Rexhbecaj has a pop at goal from the edge of the area, but Samassekou gets a touch on it and the ball flies narrowly wide of the back post.

39. Min.

Cologne almost restore parity following a scramble in the penalty area. The ball somehow lands at the feet of Jakobs, who has an open goal at his mercy. But Kaderabek clears off the line with an outstretched leg.

45 + 1. Min.

Great cross into the centre from Kaderabek. Dabbur wins the aerial battle and heads goalbound from close range, but Horn makes the save with his foot.

46. Min.

Skov crosses into the centre from the right flank and the unmarked Baumgartner guides an exquisite header into the far corner.

48. Min.

Bruun Larsen feeds Baumgartner in the Cologne box. The excellent Austrian back-flicks the ball into the path of Zuber, who guides it into the far corner.

50. Min.

Hübner catches Drexler late and is sent off for a second bookable offence.

60. Min.

Kainz is allowed to dribble into the penalty area. His effort from a centre-right position takes a deflection off Nordtveit and flies past Baumann. 3-1!

61. Min.

TSG almost make it 4-1 straightaway. Bebou first sees his effort beaten away by Horn. Then Skov whips the ball in from the left but it has too much on it for Bebou and sails narrowly past the post.

76. Min.

Cologne are awarded a penalty following a handball by Nordtveit. But Uth's spot-kick is saved by Baumann, who dives down to his left and thwarts the danger.

89. Min.

Rexhbecaj has another good chance, but this time the midfielder fires narrowly over from close range.

Match facts and statistics »

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