No points in Bochum

It was an unsuccessful Saturday afternoon for TSG Hoffenheim in western Germany: coach Sebastian Hoeness's side were defeated 2-0 (0-0) away to VfL Bochum and thus missed out on a chance to jump up the league table. Although TSG controlled the game for large periods against the newly-promoted team, they were unable to fashion much in the way of goalscoring opportunities. Instead it was Bochum who came out on top thanks to goals from Soma Novothny (66) and Milos Pantovic (90+7).

Personnel and tactics:

Head coach Sebastian Hoeness made one change to the side that beat Hertha BSC 2-0: Christoph Baumgartner came into midfield to replace the injured Dennis Geiger. The three-man defensive line in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was made up of Stefan Posch, Florian Grillitsch and former Bochum player Kevin Vogt. Kevin Akpoguma and Robert Skov lined up on the wings. Baumgartner was joined in midfield by Angelo Stiller and Sebastian Rudy. Ihlas Bebou and Andrej Kramarić formed a striking duo up front.

TSG were forced to make a change in the 60th minute, as David Raum came on for the injured Skov. At the same time, Georginio Rutter entered the game to replace Baumgartner. Not long afterwards, Posch, who had received a booking, went off to be replaced by Chris Richards (64). TSG opted for all-out attack in the closing stages and brought on Munas Dabbur to replace Akpoguma (79).

Moment of the match:

VfL's penalty: Soma Novothny fell to the ground and demanded a spotkick after a coming together in the box. Florian Grillitsch lost his cool and shoved the Bochum player, meaning a penalty was in fact given. Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann stepped up to take it but fired the ball over the bar. (76)

Number of the game: 1

TSG only managed one shot on the Bochum goal across the 90 minutes. Florian Grillitsch's effort in the 53rd minute was well saved by Manuel Riemann.

Line-ups:

VfL Bochum: Riemann – Stafylidis, Masovic, Lampropoulos, Soares – Losilla – Asano, Löwen, Rexhbecaj (64, Pantovic), Blum (39, Holtmann) – Polter (64, Novothny)

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Posch (64, Richards), Grillitsch, Vogt – Akpoguma (79, Dabbur), Rudy, Stiller, Skov (60, Raum) – Baumgartner (60, Rutter) – Bebou, Kramarić

Tore: 1:0 Novothny (66.), Pantovic (90+7)

Besondere Vorkommnisse: Riemann verschießt einen Foulelfmeter (76.)

Match highlights

16. Min.

The best chance of the match so far: Kramarić wins the ball and then exchanges passes with Grillitsch. He then fires a shot on goal with his left foot from the edge of the box, but it goes just over the bar.

19. Min.

A big chance to take the lead: Kramarić slips an excellent pass to play Bebou one-one-one with Riemann. He goes for a chipped effort over the goalkeeper but can't keep it from going over the bar.

36. Min.

A big chance for Bochum down the other end. Blum powers forward into the box but blasts his shot over the crossbar.

53. Min.

The first shot on target of the match, as Grillitsch decides to have a dig from 30 metres out. His effort is dipping perfectly under the bar, but Riemann does well to make the save.

62. Min.

Löwen drills a free-kick on target from just outside the box, but Baumann reacts well to palm the ball to safety.

66. Min.

TSG pay the price for not clearing their lines. First Grillitsch makes a block on the goalline, but the ball is deflected up to Novothny, who heads home from close range. The goal doesn't count at first, but referee Willenborg changes his mind after having a look at the replay.

76. Min.

Bochum goalkeeper Riemann steps up to take a penalty kick, but he blasts his effort over the bar. Still everything to play for for TSG.

90 + 7. Min.

Baumann goes forward for a corner. Bochum clear the ball up to Pantovic, who fires into the empty net from inside his own half to wrap up the win.