TSG Hoffenheim have used the international break to hold a behind-closed-doors friendly match against TSV Steinbach Haiger. TSG took the lead within five minutes at the Dietmar-Hopp-Stadion. Marco John played in Jacob Bruun Larsen, who scored the early goal to make it 1-0. Attila Szalai netted shortly afterwards following an assist from David Jurásek (8).
Hoffenheim were celebrating again in the 23rd minute after a goal from Mergim Berisha, before Paolo Maiella immediately pulled one back for Steinbach Haiger (24). Berisha converted another assist from John to re-establish the three-goal cushion before the half-time interval (39).
Several substitutions were implemented by the two assistant coaches Frank Fröhling and Benjamin Hübner in the second half, which impacted the flow of the game. With around a quarter of an hour to go, Steinbach Haiger reduced the deficit through Michael Guthörl (75). Directly before the final whistle, Diadie Samassékou made it 5-2 from the penalty spot (90).
TSG Hoffenheim will continue their Bundesliga campaign next week on Saturday (23 November). Hoffenheim will then play host to RB Leipzig at 15:30 CEST.
The line-up: Philipp – Strobl (Akpoguma, 60), Hranáč, Szalai – Gendrey (Kadeřábek, 60), Geiger (Tohumcu, 46), Samassékou, Jurásek (Behrens, 60) – Bruun Larsen (Duric, 75), John (Hennrich, 60) – Berisha (Makanda, 75)
Goals: 1-0 Bruun Larsen (5), 2-0 Szalai (8), 3-0 Berisha (23), 3-1 Maiella (24), 4-1 Berisha (39), 4-2 Guthörl (75), 5-2 Samassékou (pen., 90)