The line-up
Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo initially made one change to the starting XI that won 3-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, with Kevin Akpoguma replacing the suspended Stanley Nsoki. Dennis Geiger then withdrew at late notice due to back problems and was replaced by Sebastian Rudy.
The scenario
TSG Hoffenheim went into the game in 14th position, with a four-point cushion over the relegation places. Seventh-placed Wolfsburg were still battling for a place in European competition.
Number of the game: 100
The 2-1 loss away to VfL Wolfsburg was Robert Skov’s 100th competitive appearance in a TSG Hoffenheim shirt.
Moment of the match
The 57th minute: Munas Dabbur won the ball back off Maximilian Arnold and went clean through on goalkeeper Koen Casteels. The striker could have even squared it to Christoph Baumgartner but went for goal himself – and fired the ball over the crossbar. That should’ve been the equaliser.
Thunderstrike off the woodwork
Andrej Kramarić almost got Hoffenheim off to a dream start in the seventh minute. The Croat cut into the middle from the right flank and shot left-footed from a good 25 metres out. It looked like Koen Casteels touched it with his fingertips and the ball struck the crossbar.
Outlook
TSG Hoffenheim will welcome Union Berlin to Sinsheim for the final home game of the season next Saturday. Kick-off is at 15:30 CET.
Stats
Line-ups
VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Bornauw, Guilavogui, Van de Ven – Baku (Fischer, 90), Arnold, Kaminski (Cozza, 90) – Nmecha, Svanberg (Gerhardt, 61) – Wimmer (Waldschmidt, 70), Wind (Marmoush, 61)
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Ozan Kabak, Brooks, Akpgouma – Bebou (Bischof, 85), Rudy, Angeliño (Dolberg, 73) – Kramarić, Prömel (Becker, 85) – Baumgartner, Dabbur (Skov, 62)
Goals: 1-0 Kaminski (15), 2-0 Waldschmidt (75), 2-1 Guilavogui (own goal, 90+3)
Match highlights
Kramarić with the thunderbolt
The biggest chance so far: Kramarić cuts into the middle from the right and shoots with his left foot. Casteels perhaps gets a hand to it and the ball thunders against the bar. What an opportunity.
Wolfsburg take the lead
That’s too easy: Baku has too much space on the right and crosses into the middle. All the players miss the ball and it sails through to Kaminski, who easily heads into the top left corner. Baumann has no chance to save Wolfsburg’s first attempt at goal.
Brooks spurns chance to level
There’s danger from a TSG set-piece: Prömel flicks the ball towards the back post on the edge of the six-yard box. Brooks gets a shot away under pressure and fires narrowly wide of the right upright.
Dabbur squanders opportunity
Dabbur brilliantly wins the ball back from Arnold and goes clean through on Casteels. The striker can square to Baumgartner, but goes it alone and fires over. That should’ve been the leveller.
Waldschmidt decides the game
It’s too easy once again: Waldschmidt is clearly onside following a chipped pass and, with only Baumann to beat, slots home for 2-0. TSG had lost possession of the ball in midfield.
Goal back comes too late
Bischof breaks through down the left and crosses the ball low into the middle. Guilavogui attempts to clear the ball but turns it into his own net. TSG then have another attack afterwards but do not threaten.
Match facts and statistics »
Match highlights
Kramarić with the thunderbolt
The biggest chance so far: Kramarić cuts into the middle from the right and shoots with his left foot. Casteels perhaps gets a hand to it and the ball thunders against the bar. What an opportunity.
Wolfsburg take the lead
That’s too easy: Baku has too much space on the right and crosses into the middle. All the players miss the ball and it sails through to Kaminski, who easily heads into the top left corner. Baumann has no chance to save Wolfsburg’s first attempt at goal.
Brooks spurns chance to level
There’s danger from a TSG set-piece: Prömel flicks the ball towards the back post on the edge of the six-yard box. Brooks gets a shot away under pressure and fires narrowly wide of the right upright.
Dabbur squanders opportunity
Dabbur brilliantly wins the ball back from Arnold and goes clean through on Casteels. The striker can square to Baumgartner, but goes it alone and fires over. That should’ve been the leveller.
Waldschmidt decides the game
It’s too easy once again: Waldschmidt is clearly onside following a chipped pass and, with only Baumann to beat, slots home for 2-0. TSG had lost possession of the ball in midfield.
Goal back comes too late
Bischof breaks through down the left and crosses the ball low into the middle. Guilavogui attempts to clear the ball but turns it into his own net. TSG then have another attack afterwards but do not threaten.