FIRST TEAM
08/22/2021

Hard-fought draw against Union Berlin

TSG Hoffenheim were held to a 2-2 (2-1) draw by Union Berlin in their opening home game of the season. Niko Gießelmann put Union into an early lead (10), before TSG turned the game around with goals from Kevin Akpoguma (14) and Jacob Bruun Larsen (30). The capital club then levelled through Taiwo Awoniyi after the break (47).

Personnel & tactics:

Never change a winning team – in keeping with that motto, Sebastian Hoeness stuck with the same XI that won 4-0 away to FC Augsburg. Kevin Akpoguma, Stefan Posch, Kevin Vogt and David Raum formed the back four behind goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Sebastian Rudy started alongside Angelo Stiller in defensive midfield, with Jacob Bruun Larsen, Andrej Kramarić and Christoph Baumgartner offering the creative impetus behind Munas Dabbur.

TSG made a double switch around the hour mark, with Georginio Rutter and Sargis Adamyan replacing Dabbur and Bruun Larsen (62). There was another double substitution in the 79th minute, as Mijat Gaćinović and Diadie Samassékou came on for Baumgartner and Rudy.

Moment of the match:

The most emotional moment occurred before a ball had even been kicked. The team was greeted by the spectators with thunderous applause, as fans were finally allowed to return to the PreZero Arena for a Bundesliga match.

Number of the game: 8014

Finally reunited with you: 8,014 spectators attended TSG Hoffenheim's first home game of the 2021/22 season. Brilliant to have you back with us!

Line-ups:

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Akpoguma, Posch, Vogt, Raum – Rudy (Samassékou, 79), Stiller – Baumgartner (Gaćinović, 79), Kramarić, Bruun Larsen (Adamyan, 62) – Dabbur (Rutter, 62)

1. FC Union Berlin: Luthe – Friedrich, Knoche, Jaeckel – Ryerson, Khedira, Gießelmann (Trimmel, 69) – Haraguchi (Teuchert, 85), Ingvartsen (Öztunali, 60) – Awoniyi (Voglsammer, 69), Kruse

Goals: 0-1 Gießelmann (10), 1-1 Akpoguma (14), 2-1 Bruun Larsen (30), 2-2 Awoniyi (47)

Notable incidents: Red card for Friedrich (90+4)

Match highlights

10. Min.

TSG fail to stop a cross coming in from the left flank. Gießelmann wins the battle in the penalty area and heads goalbound. The first effort is well kept out by Baumann, but the TSG shot-stopper is powerless to prevent the second attempt from five metres out.

14. Min.

The perfect response from Hoffenheim: Kramarić has the vision to pick out Stiller from the edge of the box. The new signing crosses left-footed into the middle, where Akpoguma makes the run and heads home the equaliser unchallenged.

17. Min.

What a start! Kruse fires a free-kick straight at goal from more than 25 metres out. Baumann is powerless to keep it out, but the ball thunders back off the crossbar.

20. Min.

TSG make a hair-raising mistake with their build-up play. Kruse plays it through to Awoniyi, who goes clean through but Baumann narrows the angle and makes a strong save in a one-on-one.

23. Min.

Now it's TSG's chance to take the lead: Bruun Larsen turns on the afterburners, cuts into the centre and fires at goal from 20 metres out. But Luthe gets down quickly and parries the ball to the side.

30. Min.

TSG turn the game around: Kramarić is afforded too much space in midfield and threads a perfect through-ball towards Bruun Larsen. The Dane is clean through on Luthe, keeps his cool and sidesteps home with his right foot.

47. Min.

Bitter start to the second half. Union switch the play quickly. Awoniyi initially fails to beat Baumann, but Akpoguma cannot clear the ball to safety and the Union forward slots home the loose ball at the second attempt.

55. Min.

Almost back in front! Akpoguma does brilliantly down the right and Dabbur fires at goal, but his shot takes a deflection and flies wide of the target.

62. Min.

Union almost go ahead! Awoniyi cuts the ball back towards Kruse inside the box, who shoots left-footed, but Baumann makes a sensational save and stops his side going behind.

Match facts and statistics »

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