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Deserved defeat against a strong FC Barcelona
Tactics & Personnel:
The next adventure in the top-flight: on matchday three of the UEFA Women's Champions League, TSG visited the Estadi Johan Cruyff to face title defenders FC Barcelona, who had won their first two games against FC Arsenal (4-1) and HB Køge (2-0). For the difficult task against the Spanish league leaders, head coach Gabor Gallai made four changes to the starting eleven that beat FC Carl Zeiss Jena 5-1, and he also changed some of their tactics. With the team playing in a 4-1-4-1 formation, Martina Tufekovic replaced Laura Dick between the posts. Laura Wienroither and Sarai Linder took over for Judith Steinert on the right, with the recovered Fabienne Dongus starting in the middle instead of Franziska Harsch.
TSG started nervously against the reigning Champions League holders, who were bursting with confidence and forced Hoffenheim deep into their own half within the first few minutes. Gallai's team rarely had possession of the ball; after clearing it, the next Barcelona attack would immediately steam towards Martina Tufekovic's goal. Jonatan Giraldez's side took advantage of a free kick after five minutes to take a deserved lead through Jenni Hermoso. Fifteen minutes later, Europe's women's footballer of the year Alexia Putellas then increased their lead to 2-0 after scoring directly from a free kick (19.). FC Barcelona continued to dominate the game at the Estadi Johan Cruyff with ease, with TSG only managing to cross the halfway line occasionally and having to defend their opponent's fast and creative attacks with great difficulty. The Spanish league leaders took advantage of an error by Martina Tufekovic to make it 3-0 (33.), but the Hoffenheim goalkeeper then made two strong saves with her foot. Shortly before the break, TSG combined to approach their opponent's penalty area, but no goal came of it.
Barcelona started the second half with plenty of steam, but Hoffenheim managed to survive this initial phase after the break. The hosts continued to dictate the game in front of 2,068 spectators, but TSG now had more of the game. The eye-catching Jule Brand made some good ground, but this still didn't lead to any goal-scoring opportunities. On the other hand, Tufekovic continued to make several strong saves, but Barcelona then made it 4-0 in the 74th minute. Gallai's team still fought bravely but could offer little to counter the technically skilled Spaniards towards the end of the game.
Match highlights
0-1: Early deficit for TSG! Lieke Martens whips a free kick into the box from the left-hand side and Jenni Hermoso heads it past Martina Tufekovic from close range.
Almost 0-2! Aitana Bonmatí feeds it to Lieke Martens from halfway with a great pass. The Dutch player takes the ball to the edge of the box but fails to beat the well-reacting Tufekovic after facing pressure from Katharina Naschenweng.
Goal for Barcelona! 0-2. After a foul by Nicole Billa, the hosts are awarded a free kick in a central position at the edge of the box. Alexia Putellas drills it from 16 metres into the top left corner.
Barcelona again! After an attack down the right, TSG clear it to the feet of Martens in the centre, who has a powerful attempt from 18 metres. Tufekovic saves!
Damn! 0-3. After a long ball over the top, Alexia Putellas receives the ball in the box and scores from 12 metres. The attempt, which was not a dangerous one, unfortunately slipped through the legs of Martina Tufekovic.
A bit of luck! Putellas threads it through to Aitana Bonmatí who fails to beat Tufekovic unmarked at the penalty spot. The TSG goalkeeper saved the low shot strongly with her foot.
Tufekovic saves it again! After a clever pass from Martens, Jenni Hermoso was free in front of the TSG goal, but Tufekovic saved it with her foot again from 11 metres out.
Barcelona get straight back into it! Bonmati's shot from 16 metres is deflected off Luana Bühler at the last second, but the ball bounces back into play off the right-hand post and is cleared by TSG.
After a cross from Martens, Jenni Hermoso controls the ball from the air in the box, but fails to beat Tufekovic with her volley.
Tufekovic makes another brilliant save! TSG were unable to clear a ball into the box from Martens, meaning Leila Ouahabi had a free attempt from seven metres out. The shot was misplaced, and the TSG goalkeeper deflected the ball over the bar with her foot.
But now it's 0-4. Martens crosses from the left and Marta Torrejón appears at the far post to head the ball into the net from close range.
Match facts and statistics »
