TSG draw with Salernitana

Despite completing many energy-sapping training sessions in the Alps, TSG started the match dynamically and were rewarded early on: After Munas Dabbur crossed in the 8th minute, Stefan Posch's header was blocked, but the advancing centre-back kept possession and passed to Andrej Kramarić, who fired the ball superbly into the top-right corner. The Italians almost equalised immediately, but Julien Kristoffersen's finish smashed against the corner of the goalpost. In the 16th minute, however, the US Salernitana striker scored the equaliser. He took a pass in the penalty area with his back to goal before turning and shooting beyond the outstretched Oliver Baumann.

In the 31st minute it was Baumann's turn to win a duel with Kristoffersen. After a foul by Posch in the area, the TSG goalkeeper saved the resulting penalty kick. Six minutes later, TSG were celebrating again. Kramarić was released and crossed unselfishly to Munas Dabbur, who in turn set up Georginio. The Frenchman put TSG back in front from close range (37).

TSG did not stay ahead for long, however. The Italians were not deterred by the deficit and a shot from midfielder Michele Cavion was deflected in the 38th minute, giving TSG keeper Baumann no chance to prevent the 2-2 scoreline.

TSG started well after the break and almost took the lead twice through Georginio. The team placed 17th in Serie A last season had a number of opportunities, especially from crosses, but they were not converted. A quarter of an hour before the end, Marco John replaced Skov to signal his return after a shoulder injury. Coach André Breitenreiter once again made changes in every position during the game, but on this occasion did not make them all at half-time. In the 82nd minute, a cross from Georginio was longer than intended and almost found its way into the goal. After an intensive week in Kitzbühel, the training camp ends on Sunday and the team heads home.

"That was a vigorous test," explained head coach André Breitenreiter after the match. "Our aim is to improve, so it's important to be challenged by opponents like Salernitana. The legs were tired of course after the pre-season but things will get better once we have recovered."

Before TSG Hoffenheim start the new season in the DFB-Pokal at SV Rödinghausen (31 July), the highlight of the pre-season is still to come: on Saturday (23 July), we are staging a big season opening event in and around the PreZero Arena. TSG will once again play a Serie A club, with Hellas Verona the opponents. Tickets are now available (starting at €5).

TSG Hoffenheim line-up: Baumann (Philipp, 61) — Posch (Akpoguma, 61), Vogt (Adams, 61), Hübner (Bogarde, 61) — Kadeřábek (Damar, 76), Prömel (Bischof, 61), Kramarić (Asllani, 61), Rudy (Becker, 61), Skov (John, 76) — Dabbur (Baumgartner, 46), Bruun Larsen (Georginio, 17)

Goals: 1-0 Kramarić (8), 1-1 Kristoffersen (16), 2-1 Georginio (37), 2-2 Cavion (38)

Incidents: Baumann saves Kristoffersen penalty (31)

Match facts and statistics »