FIRST TEAM
03/21/2021

TSG lose to Mainz

There were no points for TSG Hoffenheim on Bundesliga Matchday 26 as they went down 2-1 to FSV Mainz 05. Hoffenheim were caught napping at the outset and went 1-0 behind after 26 seconds. Ihlas Bebou levelled in the 39th minute, only for Mainz to re-establish their lead before the break.

Personnel & tactics:

TSG Hoffenheim head coach Sebastian Hoeness made two changes to the starting XI that had been beaten 2-0 by VfB Stuttgart last time out. Kevin Vogt replaced Kasim Adams and played alongside Florian Grillitsch and Chris Richards in a back three in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Marco John returned to the line-up on the left flank, with Pavel Kadeřábek lining up on the right wing. Diadie Samassékou partnered Sebastian Rudy in central midfield, while Ihlas Bebou slotted into the hole behind Christoph Baumgartner and Andrej Kramarić.

TSG made a double switch after 65 minutes, bringing on Robert Skov and Munas Dabbur for John and Rudy. Dabbur supported Bebou up top. TSG switched things around 10 minutes later, with Stefan Posch and Georginio Rutter coming on for Richards and Samassékou (76). TSG were now operating with a back four, with Grillitsch further forward in midfield and Rutter providing the additional attacking threat.

Moment of the match:

The goal for 2-1: TSG were rewarded with an equaliser from Ihlas Bebou in their strongest spell of the game (39), but Mainz re-established their lead almost immediately through Dominik Kohr and put themselves on course to win.

Number of the game: 26

TSG Hoffenhem went 1-0 behind with only 26 seconds on the clock. Chris Richards, the last man at the back, was robbed of possession by Robert Glatzel. The Mainz forward did not let the opportunity pass him by and opened the scoring. It was the earliest goal Hoffenheim have conceded in the Bundesliga.

Line-ups:

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Vogt, Grillitsch, Richards (Rutter, 76) – Kadeřábek, Rudy (Dabbur, 65), Samassékou (Rutter, 76), John (Skov, 65) – Baumgartner, Kramarić – Bebou

FSV Mainz 05: Zentner – St. Juste, Bell, Niakhate – da Costa (Brosinski, 20), Barreiro, Kohr, Mwene – Boetius (Stöger, 82) – Glatzel (Quaison, 64), Burkhardt (Onisiwo, 64)

Goals: 0-1 Glatzel (1), 1-1 Bebou (39), 1-2 Kohr (41)

Match highlights

1. Min.

Richards is dispossessed at the back. Glatzel goes clean through on Baumann and slots home. Horror start!

3. Min.

It’s almost 2-0 straightaway. Glatzel brings a free-kick under control and prods the ball goalbound. Baumann makes a strong save to stop the deficit increasing.

4. Min.

The ensuing corner brings about the next moment of danger, St. Juste heading centimetres over the crossbar.

7. Min.

Huge opportunity to equalise:  John is played in brilliantly down the left and fizzes a low cross into the centre. Bebou gets to the ball but doesn't connect properly and fires over from close range with the goal gaping.

15. Min.

St. Juste goes for goal from a free-kick over 20 metres out. Baumann stands rooted to the spot but the ball flies over the frame of the goal.

18. Min.

TSG are lucky not be trailing by more already: Burkhardt has a clear-cut chance to make it 2-0 but Baumann makes a strong save with an outstretched leg.

38. Min.

Rudy has a flash of inspiration and takes a free-kick quickly. Bebou runs in and shoots on the turn, but Zentner is able to make the stop.

39. Min.

Richards sets up the equalising goal with a dream pass. Bebou brings it under control fantastically and fires into the far corner. Lovely goal.

41. Min.

After a corner is taken short, Kohr runs into the six-yard box unmarked and heads home from close range to put Mainz 2-1 ahead.

53. Min.

TSG are caught napping again. St. Juste shoots from inside the box, but Baumann makes another block with his leg.

54. Min.

Nice play from Bebou, who cuts the ball back from the byline towards Kramarić. The forward meets it with a diving header but he is disrupted decisively and the ball flies just wide.

75. Min.

Mainz should’ve gone 3-1 up there. Onisiwo squares the ball to Quaison, who is left with what looks like a tap-in. But he takes too long and Richards makes a last-second intervention.

82. Min.

The next gilt-edged opportunity. Mainz flick on a corner towards the back post and St. Juste appears to have an easy finish, but he fires over from very close range.

Match facts and statistics »

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