TSG beaten by league-leaders Leverkusen after intense battle

Line-ups

Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made three changes to the starting XI from the 1-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal: Ozan Kabak, Robert Skov and Finn Ole Becker came into the line-up to replace John Anthony Brooks, Ihlas Bebou and Mergim Berisha.

The scenario

TSG came into Matchday 10 placed sixth in the table, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen were top of the standings with 25 points out of a possible 27, seven points ahead of TSG.

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Moment of the match

Leverkusen’s third goal. TSG pressed for the winner after coming back from two down, but Grimaldo found the back of the net to make it 3-2 and seize all three points for Bayer. 

Number of the game: 6

For the sixth time this season, TSG conceded a goal in the 15 minutes before half-time – only Bochum have conceded more goals in this period of a game (seven).

First goal of the game Best first goal

Anton Stach scored for the first time in a TSG Hoffenheim shirt – and what a way to do it. He successfully lobbed Lukas Hradecky from long range to pull TSG back to within a goal of the league leaders.

Outlook

TSG Hoffenheim will visit FC Augsburg next week. Kick-off on Saturday is scheduled for 15:30 CET.

Summary

Line-ups:

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Ozan Kabak, Vogt, Akpoguma (87, Conté) – Skov (78, Bebou), Stach, Bülter – Becker (78, Kramarić), Prömel – Weghorst, Beier (87, Berisha)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Hradecky – Kossounou (46, Stanisic), Tah, Tapsoba – Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo – Hofmann (80, Andrich), Boniface (88, Adli), Wirtz (90+1, Hlozek)

Goals: 0-1 Wirtz (9), 0-2 Grimaldo (45+1), 1-2 Stach (56), 2-2 Weghorst (58), 2-3 Grimaldo (70)

Match highlights

9. Min.

Wirtz gives Leverkusen the lead

Wirtz glides into space down the left wing and slides the ball into the feet of Boniface. He holds off two defenders and lays off a pass to the onrushing Wirtz, who slots the ball home from close range. 

10. Min.

Almost a second goal

Leverkusen are piling on the pressure. Boniface looks to play in Frimpong, but Vogt is able to block the pass. The ball deflects back to the Bayer striker, who tries his luck from about 20 metres out. Baumann has to be at full stretch to make the save. 

12. Min.

Bülter almost scores a wondergoal 

TSG come close: Bülter steels himself and pulls the trigger from 35 metres out. A flying save from Hradecky is required to prevent TSG from drawing level.

45 + 1. Min.

Leverkusen double their lead

Leverkusen score a second goal shortly before the break: Hofmann steps up to take a corner and passes the ball to the edge of the area, where Grimaldo has run into space. He sends a superb first-touch effort into the back of the net, but TSG will be kicking themselves for giving him so much space.

50. Min.

Beier with a big chance

Beier fails to beat Hradecky with his initial effort, but is quickest to react to the rebound on the volley. It’s a difficult shot that just misses the target.

56. Min.

A superb goal to pull one back

What a goal! Hradecky rushes out his goal and looks to play a pass forward, but mistakenly sends the ball to the feet of Stach. The 24-year-old needs no invitation to shoot and duly lobs the stranded Bayer keeper from 45 metres out. 

58. Min.

Weghorst equalises

Goal, TSG are level! Beier curls a shot on goal from 25 metres out. The ball comes back off the post and Weghorst is quickest to react to make it 2-2!

64. Min.

TSG almost take the lead

TSG come close to turning the game on its head: Stach crosses from the left into the penalty area, Weghorst’s glancing header flies just over the crossbar.

70. Min.

Grimaldo again

His left foot is just too good. Boniface tees up Grimaldo, who once again delicately bends the ball into the top corner. 

Match facts and statistics »

Match highlights

9. Min.

Wirtz gives Leverkusen the lead

Wirtz glides into space down the left wing and slides the ball into the feet of Boniface. He holds off two defenders and lays off a pass to the onrushing Wirtz, who slots the ball home from close range. 

10. Min.

Almost a second goal

Leverkusen are piling on the pressure. Boniface looks to play in Frimpong, but Vogt is able to block the pass. The ball deflects back to the Bayer striker, who tries his luck from about 20 metres out. Baumann has to be at full stretch to make the save. 

12. Min.

Bülter almost scores a wondergoal 

TSG come close: Bülter steels himself and pulls the trigger from 35 metres out. A flying save from Hradecky is required to prevent TSG from drawing level.

45 + 1. Min.

Leverkusen double their lead

Leverkusen score a second goal shortly before the break: Hofmann steps up to take a corner and passes the ball to the edge of the area, where Grimaldo has run into space. He sends a superb first-touch effort into the back of the net, but TSG will be kicking themselves for giving him so much space.

50. Min.

Beier with a big chance

Beier fails to beat Hradecky with his initial effort, but is quickest to react to the rebound on the volley. It’s a difficult shot that just misses the target.

56. Min.

A superb goal to pull one back

What a goal! Hradecky rushes out his goal and looks to play a pass forward, but mistakenly sends the ball to the feet of Stach. The 24-year-old needs no invitation to shoot and duly lobs the stranded Bayer keeper from 45 metres out. 

58. Min.

Weghorst equalises

Goal, TSG are level! Beier curls a shot on goal from 25 metres out. The ball comes back off the post and Weghorst is quickest to react to make it 2-2!

64. Min.

TSG almost take the lead

TSG come close to turning the game on its head: Stach crosses from the left into the penalty area, Weghorst’s glancing header flies just over the crossbar.

70. Min.

Grimaldo again

His left foot is just too good. Boniface tees up Grimaldo, who once again delicately bends the ball into the top corner.