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TSG Hoffenheim lose to Mainz
Personnel and tactics:
Head coach Sebastian Hoeness made three changes to the side that lost 3-2 away to Borussia Dortmund. Chris Richards, recently signed from Bayern Munich, moved straight into the starting XI and formed a four-man defensive line-up alongside Stefan Posch, Kevin Vogt and David Raum. Oliver Baumann started in goal. Dennis Geiger and Sebastian Rudy were the two defensive midfielders. On the wings, Mijat Gaćinović (left) was a starter for the first time this season, while Jacob Bruun Larsen lined up on the right. Georginio Rutter led the line, with Andrej Kramarić operating just behind him.
TSG made two changes to start the second half, as Pavel Kadeřábek and Christoph Baumgartner came on to replace Posch and Gaćinović. The next switch came in the 58th minute, with Rudy making way for Florian Grillitsch. Munas Dabbur and Robert Skov came on for the last 20 minutes as TSG looked to find a spark offensively. They replaced Geiger and Bruun Larsen (73).
Moment of the match:
The goal for 2-0: TSG were much improved in the second half, but just as they were putting Mainz under pressure they were caught on the counter with 15 minutes remaining. Marcus Ingvartsen's goal to make it 2-0 meant there was no way back for Hoffenheim.
Number of the game: 50
Jacob Bruun Larsen made his 50th appearance in the Bundesliga - 17 of these have come in a TSG jersey.
Line-ups:
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Posch (46, Kadeřábek), Vogt, Richards, Raum – Rudy (58, Grillitsch), Geiger (73, Dabbur) – Bruun Larsen (73, Skov), Kramarić, Gaćinović (46, Baumgartner) – Rutter
FSV Mainz 05: Zentner – Niakhate (33, Hack), Bell, St. Juste – Widmer, Boetius (76, Stach), Kohr, Barreiro (76, Lee), Lucoqui – Onisiwo (60, Szalai), Burkardt (76, Ingvartsen)
Goals: 0-1 Burkardt (21), 0-2 Ingvartsen (77)
Match highlights
The first big chance of the game as Mainz are awarded a free-kick from around 18 metres out. St. Juste fires it on target, but Baumann is well-placed to make the save.
TSG are punished for a misplaced pass in build-up play. Mainz play it forward to Burkardt in space near the box. He takes the ball on the turn and drills a shot into the bottom-right corner. Baumann had no chance against the well-placed effort.
A nice solo effort from Bruun Larsen, who dribbles past various defenders down the right before pulling the trigger from the edge of the box. His shot crashes into the side-netting. Hoffenheim's biggest chance so far.
Good work from Raum down the left, who drives to the byline and delivers a cross to the far-post. Bruun Larsen does well to head it back into the middle, but no TSG player is there to apply the finishing touches.
TSG are caught on the break. Ingvartsen, who has just come on as a substitute, receives the ball at the edge of the box. He's given too much time and makes no mistake in directing the ball low into the bottom-right corner with his left.
Match facts and statistics »
