Unlucky defeat to Wolfsburg

TSG Hoffenheim dominated the match but again picked up no points as they succumbed to a 2-1 (1-1) defeat to VfL Wolfsburg. The defeat saw the Kraichgau club end the calendar year with a tally of 18 points from the opening 15 games of the season. Christoph Baumgartner fired Hoffenheim into the lead, but an own goal from Ozan Kabak (45+4) and a strike from Ridle Baku turned the game on its head.

The scenario

The Wolves went into the game in ninth place with 20 points, with TSG two points behind in 10th position. An impressive winning streak had seen VfL Wolfsburg climb above TSG Hoffenheim in the table.

Line-up

Head coach André Breitenreiter made three changes to the starting XI that lost 4-2 in Frankfurt last time out, with Kevin Akpoguma, Robert Skov and Angelo Stiller coming in to replace Eduardo Quaresma, Pavel Kadeřábek and Muhammed Damar.

Number of the game: 200

The 2-1 defeat to VfL Wolfsburg was Kevin Vogt's 200th competitive appearance in a TSG Hoffenheim shirt. The defender moved to the Kraichgau from 1. FC Cologne in 2016.

Moment of the match

Wolfsburg's winning goal: TSG were the better team in the second period too, but Wolfsburg scored what turned out to be deciding goal on the counterattack. Felix Nmecha played in Ridle Baku, who went past Angeliño and fired home a cultured low shot in the 56th minute to clinch the victory.

Stroke of misfortune

TSG performed strongly in the first half and looked to be heading into the break in front, only to let in an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Oliver Baumann kept out a Wolfsburg header, but the ball took an unfortunate rebound off Ozan Kabak and into the net. It was to be the turning point in the match.

Outlook

The winter break has now started. TSG will continue their campaign with a trip to Union Berlin on 21 January.

Stats

Line-ups

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Ozan Kabak, Vogt, Akpoguma – Skov (Kadeřábek, 83), Geiger (Quarshie, 90+3), Angeliño – Stiller, Kramarić (Bruun Larsen, 73) – Georginio (Asllani, 73), Baumgartner

VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Fischer (Roussillon, 90), Bornauw, van de Ven, Otavio – Baku, Nmecha (Waldschmidt, 90), Arnold, Gerhardt (Guilavogui, 65), Kaminski (Philipp, 65) – Marmoush (Svanberg, 12)

Goals: 1-0 Baumgartner (42), 1-1 Ozan Kabak own goal (45+4), 1-2 Baku (56)