Line-ups
Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made three changes to his starting line-up from the 3-2 win at 1. FC Heidenheim. Pavel Kadeřábek, Ozan Kabak and Kevin Akpoguma dropped out due to injury, meaning Attila Szalai, Kevin Vogt and Maximilian Beier were given an opportunity from the start. New signing Mergim Berisha was initially on the bench.
The scenario
TSG kicked off the game on three points thanks to the emotional 3-2 win at 1. FC Heidenheim. VfL Wolfsburg had made an even better start, winning both of their first two games (2-0 at home to Heidenheim, 2-1 away at 1. FC Cologne).
Moment of the match
The 3-1: Andrej Kramarić worked his magic down the left and found some space thanks to his famous back-heel. Robert Skov ran on to Kramarić’s pass, striking the ball first time and picking out the top corner. The goal was checked for a long time because of a possible handball by Mergim Berisha, but the goal ultimately counted and the game would finish 3-1.
Number of the game: 3
Three players celebrated firsts for TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday: Maximilian Beier got his first start in the Bundesliga, new signing Mergim Berisha made his first appearance in a TSG shirt and John Anthony Brooks scored his first goal for Hoffenheim.
Substitution of the game
In the 59th minute, Robert Skov replaced Marius Bülter on the left wing. With his first touch of the ball, Skov provided a picture-perfect assist for Maximilian Beier to make it 2-1 on the hour mark. He then went on to score an incredible goal 14 minutes later for the 3-1 final score. He certainly had the Midas touch today.
Outlook
The will be no Bundesliga games next week due to the international break. TSG Hoffenheim will next play in the league on Saturday, 16 September when they travel to play 1. FC Cologne. Kick-off in that one is at 15:30 CET.
Summary
Line-ups:
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Vogt, Brooks, Szalai – Bebou, Grillitsch, Bülter (Skov, 59) – Kramarić (90+4 Samassékou), Prömel – Weghorst, Beier (Berisha, 68)
VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Maehle (Baku, 68), Lacroix, Zesiger, Rogerio – Arnold – Majer (Paredes, 68), Svanberg (Gerhardt, 78) – Cerny (Kaminski, 83), Tomas (Sarr, 68) – Wind
Goals: 0-1 Tomas (36) 1-1 Brooks (45+2), 2-1 Beier (60), 3-1 Skov (74)
Match highlights
Wolfsburg take the lead
That was far too easy. Wolfsburg win the ball in the midfield. Tomas beats the offside trap and finds himself with only Baumann to beat before picking out the bottom-left corner.
Brooks finds the equaliser
TSG somehow make their way down the left wing. Bülter gets his head up to find Brooks, who for some reason is still up the pitch and fires home from close range. TSG equalise!
Centimetres away from the lead
The biggest chance to take lead: Grillitsch makes a run in behind and is picked out by a beautiful lofted pass. The Austrian’s shot comes back off the post. That was close!
Beier gives TSG the lead
The game has turned on its head: Kramarić sends Skov down the left, whose first touch is a cross to Beier, who makes a clean connection and the ball flies into the bottom-left corner. Tidy!
Skov with a dream goal
What a hit: Berisha wins the ball in midfield, Kramarić lays it off to Skov, who is initially blocked and then passes back to Kramarić. The Croat uses his famous back-heel, dances his way between Wolfsburg defenders and lays it off to Skov, who fires the ball into the top corner for the left-hand edge of the penalty area. The goal is checked for minutes, but ultimately counts. Tidy!
Match facts and statistics »
Match highlights
Wolfsburg take the lead
That was far too easy. Wolfsburg win the ball in the midfield. Tomas beats the offside trap and finds himself with only Baumann to beat before picking out the bottom-left corner.
Brooks finds the equaliser
TSG somehow make their way down the left wing. Bülter gets his head up to find Brooks, who for some reason is still up the pitch and fires home from close range. TSG equalise!
Centimetres away from the lead
The biggest chance to take lead: Grillitsch makes a run in behind and is picked out by a beautiful lofted pass. The Austrian’s shot comes back off the post. That was close!
Beier gives TSG the lead
The game has turned on its head: Kramarić sends Skov down the left, whose first touch is a cross to Beier, who makes a clean connection and the ball flies into the bottom-left corner. Tidy!
Skov with a dream goal
What a hit: Berisha wins the ball in midfield, Kramarić lays it off to Skov, who is initially blocked and then passes back to Kramarić. The Croat uses his famous back-heel, dances his way between Wolfsburg defenders and lays it off to Skov, who fires the ball into the top corner for the left-hand edge of the penalty area. The goal is checked for minutes, but ultimately counts. Tidy!