TSG lose to Nuremberg in friendly

The match began promisingly for TSG. Sebastian Hoeness's side grabbed the lead in just the third minute: Ihlas Bebou intercepted a Nuremberg pass and launched a counter-attack downfield. The ball came to Ilay Elmkies in the box, who passed across goal for João Klauss to apply the finishing touches.

Both teams had chances to score in a lively opening period. The best opportunity fell to Kevin Akpoguma, who failed to beat the keeper in a one-on-one after being played in on goal by Bebou in the 30th minute. Not long afterwards, Nuremberg's Asger Sörensen scored from a corner to draw the two sides level.

In the 39th minute, a strong hand from Christian Mathenia was required to keep out a long-range effort from Robert Skov. Two minutes late, Klauss had a chance to fire Hoffenheim back into the lead, but a heroic goal-line clearance by Georg Margreitter meant the two sides went in even at the break.

The Brasilian Klauss also had the first goal-scoring opportunity of the second half, but Nuremberg goalkeeper Mathenia was alert to the danger. Down the other end, Luca Philipp impressed in the TSG goal: in the 51st minute, he made a spectacular save to keep out a goal-bound header. However, three minutes later, the TSG keeper was powerless to prevent Nuremberg grabbing the lead: Felix Lohkemper hit the back of the net with a close-range header.  

Not long afterwards, Noel Knothe struck to extend the Nuremberg lead to 3-1. TSG were unable to find a response, and they soon fell further behind when Lohkemper pounced from a corner to make it 4-1.  

But Sebastian Hoeness's side didn't let their heads drop and managed to hit back with a second goal of the day fro Klauss: Mathenia did well to deny Bebou, but the rebound fell at the Brasilian's feet and he made no mistake in slotting home to bring the score to 4-2. However, it was Nuremberg who would have the last say: a 77th minute goal from Ekin Celebi extinguished any hopes of a Hoffenheim comeback.

Friendly win over Fürth

TSG played their first friendly match of the day at 13:00 CET against SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Hoffenheim ran out 1-0 (0-0) winners thanks to a Christoph Baumgartner goal. 

TSG will leave their training camp on Lake Tegernsee on Sunday. The team's next friendly match is lined up for Saturday (29 August), when they face fellow Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05.

Line-up against SpVgg Greuther Fürth: Baumann – Kadeřábek, Bičakčić, Adams, Stafylidis (68, Brenet) – Grillitsch (64, Bogarde) – Samassékou, Gaćinović (68, Sahin) – Baumgartner (78, Ott) – Bruun Larsen (78, Kölle), Dabbur (78, Ekene)

Goals: 1-0 Baumgartner (48)

Line-up against 1. FC Nuremberg: Philipp (66, Noll) – Akpoguma, Posch, Hübner (66, Rüth), Skov (76, Brenet) – Vogt (76, Bogarde) – Geiger (76, Ott), Elmkies – Kramarić (66, Sahin) – Bebou (76, Ekene), Klauss (76, Kölle)

Goals: 1-0 Klauss (3), 1-1 Sörensen (31), 1-2 Lohkemper (54), 1-3 Knothe (56), 1-4 Lohkemper (69), 2-4 Klauss (71), 2-5 Celebi (77)

Match facts and statistics »