Defeat in Augsburg

TSG Hoffenheim lost 2-1 (2-0) at FC Augsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 27. TSG had more of the game but struggled to get into dangerous areas and were hit on the counter twice by Augsburg. Robert Skov halved the deficit in the 86th minute but it was too little too late. Hoffenheim are next in action on Monday (12 April/20:30 CET) when they welcome Bayer 04 Leverkusen to the PreZero Arena.

Personnel & tactics:

There was a first start for the 18-year-old Frenchman Georginio Rutter, who replaced the injured Andrej Kramarić and began a Bundesliga match for the first time. Head coach Sebastian Hoeness made two changes to the starting XI that was beaten 2-1 by 1. FSV Mainz 05 last time out. Stefan Posch returned and played alongside Florian Grillitsch and Chris Richards in a back three in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Pavel Kadeřábek and birthday boy Marco John started in the wide positions. The midfield trio of Diadie Samassékou, Sebastian Rudy and the more offensive Christoph Baumgartner remained unchanged, with Ihlas Bebou alongside Rutter up front.

TSG made a triple change at the interval, with Kevin Vogt, Ryan Sessegnon and Mijat Gaćinović replacing Rudy, John and Samassékou. Grillitsch moved into midfield, while Vogt took over the central position in the back three. Robert Skov replaced Baumgartner in an attacking role in the 69th minute. Richards was then forced off with an injury on the 74-minute mark, with Ishak Belfodil coming on in the American's place. TSG were now playing with a back four and an additional striker.

Moment of the match:

The opener: head coach Sebastian Hoeness had warned of Augsburg's counter-attacking threat and the importance of the opening goal prior to the game. But his match plan went up in smoke after eight minutes as Ruben Vargas fired FCA ahead following a counter-attack.

Number of the game: 5

TSG had won on each of their previous five Bundesliga visits to Augsburg, but this 2-1 loss put an end to that run.

Line-ups:

FC Augsburg: Gikiewicz – Framberger (Pedersen, 46), Gouweleeuw, Uduokhai, Gumny – Gruezo, Khedira – Caligiuri, Richter (Oxford, 67), Vargas (Gregoritsch, 46) – Hahn

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Posch, Grillitsch, Richards (Belfodil, 74) – Kadeřábek, Rudy (Gaćinović, 46), Samassékou (Vogt, 46), John (Sessegnon, 46) – Baumgartner (Skov, 69) – Bebou, Rutter

Goals: 1-0 Vargas (8), 2-0 Hahn (23) 2-1 Skov (86)

Match highlights

5. Min.

First shot of the game: Augsburg switch the play quickly after winning the ball back and go close. Caligiuri cuts into the middle from the right and targets the far corner with a left-footed shot, but it flies just wide of the post.

8. Min.

A counter leads to the opener. Samassékou loses the ball and Grillitsch is beaten by Caligiuri. He feeds Vargas in the penalty area, who picks out the far corner with his shot and leaves Baumann no chance.

23. Min.

TSG are hit on the counter ruthlessly. Vargas plays a long pass from his own penalty area to Hahn, who carries the ball all the way from the halfway line before picking out the far corner with a neat finish. That was too easy.

39. Min.

Nice cross into the centre from the right flank. Bebou wins the aerial battle but Gikiewcz makes a save to stop the Togo striker making it 2-1.

64. Min.

Hoffenheim's best chance by some distance: Kadeřábek plays a nice ball in behind and Gaćinović sends it first-time to Bebou, whose shot is well kept out by Gikiewicz in the Augsburg goal.

78. Min.

A corner-kick routine sets up a chance for TSG. Grillitsch does well to pick out Skov in the penalty area. The Dane spots the unmarked Belfodil, but the striker does not connect with the ball properly. That was a really great chance!