FIRST TEAM
08/09/2021

TSG win cup battle at Viktoria Cologne

TSG Hoffenheim beat Viktoria Cologne 3-2 (0-0, 1-1, 2-2) away from home in extra-time to progress through to the next round of the DFB-Pokal. Andrej Kramarić, who had earlier scored the opener, netted the all-important winner against the third-tier club in the 107th minute. Munas Dabbur scored the other goal for the visitors at Sportpark Höhenberg.

Personnel & tactics:

Two new signings started the first competitive match of the season, with both David Raum and Angelo Stiller in the starting XI away to Viktoria Cologne in the DFB-Pokal first round. Philipp Pentke replaced the injured Oliver Baumann in goal, while the back four consisted of Melayro Bogarde, Kevin Akpoguma, Kevin Vogt and Raum. Stiller started in defensive midfield alongside Dennis Geiger. Georginio Rutter, Christoph Baumgartner and Jacob Bruun Larsen formed the attacking midfield trio, with Andrej Kramarić, who was wearing the captain's armband, up front.

TSG made a double substitution just after the hour mark, with Stefan Posch and Sebastian Rudy replacing Bogarde and Rutter. Baumgartner moved across to the right wing (64). Sebastian Hoeness made an offensive substitution on 76 minutes, with Munas Dabbur coming on for Geiger to support Kramarić up top. In extra-time, Mijat Gaćinović came on for Bruun Larsen (105) before Marco John took the place of the injured Raum (115).

Moment of the match:

The winner: TSG had gone ahead twice, only for Viktoria Cologne to hit back on the counter-attack shortly afterwards each time and level the scores. But after Andrej Kramarić made it 3-2, there was no way back for the men from Cologne. The Croat decided the tie with a lovely dribbling run followed by a well-placed shot.

Number of the game: 3

Third time's the charm: TSG needed to go ahead for a third time before the victory was sealed in extra-time. Viktoria Cologne had earlier cancelled out their lead on two occasions.

Line-ups:

Viktoria Köln: Nicolas – Heister, Rossmann, Greger, Buballa – Klefisch, Lorsch (Hemcke, 89), Sontheimer (Bunjaku, 110) – Handle, Amyn (Philipp, 59) – Möller (Thiele, 59)

TSG Hoffenheim: Pentke – Bogarde (Posch, 64), Akpoguma, Vogt, Raum (John, 115) – Geiger (Dabbur, 76), Stiller – Rutter (Rudy, 64), Baumgartner, Bruun Larsen (Gaćinović, 105) – Kramarić

Goals: 0-1 Kramarić (pen., 27), 1-1 Handle (33), 1-2 Dabbur (94), 2-2 Greger (102), 2-3 Kramarić (107)

Match highlights

10. Min.

The first chance of the match: Bruun Larsen feeds Kramarić, who cuts inside from the left and shoots from around 20 metres. But it's just wide of the upright.

19. Min.

A Hoffenheim corner is followed by a chaotic scene in the penalty area. Two TSG shots are first blocked, then the ball falls to Akpoguma. His shot from a tight angle strikes the side-netting, however.

24. Min.

The next good opportunity to take the lead. Kramarić delivers a lovely free-kick from a deep position on the right and the unmarked Rutter heads goalbound, but he doesn't connect with the ball properly and it goes wide. Good chance.

27. Min.

Viktoria Cologne lose the ball in their own half. Bruun Larsen turns on the afterburners and is brought down in the box. Kramarić takes the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way and comfortably slotting home from 12 yards.

33. Min.

TSG are caught in possession in midfield. Cologne quickly switch the play down the left. Handle is afforded too much space and perfectly curls the ball into the far corner, leaving Pentke no chance.

54. Min.

First good chance of the second period. Rutter cuts into the middle from the right and crosses left-footed. Kramarić is relatively unmarked but heads narrowly over.

64. Min.

Baumgartner is suddenly clean through on Cologne's goal, but the Austrian loses his one-on-one battle with Nicolas. TSG should be back in front.

81. Min.

How has that happened? Kramarić's long ball puts Baumgartner clean through once again and he bears down on Nicolas, but the Austrian drags his shot wide of the mark. Another big opportunity to re-establish the lead.

90 + 1. Min.

Real danger from a Cologne corner-kick! Pentke comes out but doesn't get to the ball. Fortunately, Rossmann heads wide of the mark.

94. Min.

Hoffenheim are deservedly back in front. Dabbur initially fails to beat Nicolas from close range, but TSG show perseverance and win the second ball. Baumgartner crosses towards the back post, where Dabbur refuses to let another chance escape his grasp and makes it 2-1.

102. Min.

TSG give away a corner carelessly. Greger jumps the highest in the middle and nods home to make it 2-2.

107. Min.

TSG stay patient on the edge of the Cologne box. Kramarić then dances past his marker and slots inside the far post from a centre-left position.

Match facts and statistics »

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