TSG make successful start to preseason with friendly win in Walldorf

With the two newcomers Marius Bülter and Julian Justvan in the starting XI, TSG Hoffenheim lived up to their billing as favourites. However, in temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, it was the Regionalliga team who had the first major chance. Louis Safranek had a sight of the goal in the TSG area, but his shot failed to get the better of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. TSG were slow out the blocks and only had their first real chance after the drinks break, as a dipping effort from Jacob Bruun Larsen hit the crossbar in the 28th minute.

But just one minute later, Grischa Prömel scored from 13 metres out following a beautiful one-two with Muhammed Damar to give Hoffenheim a deserved lead. TSG created several more chances before the break, but Luis Idjakovic in the Walldorf goal was on hand to prevent further goals.

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Pellegrino Matarazzo rotated the entire team for the second half. In the 49th minute, Bambasé Conté had the chance to make it 2-0, but his shot after a perfect counter-attacking move was blocked at the last moment. A little later TSG came even closer, but Maxi Beier fired just wide of the target after being set up by Dennis Geiger (54).

In the 67th minute, the crowd was treated to a rare spectacle, as Kevin Vogt stepped up to take a penalty kick and found the back of the net – he is still to score for the club in a competitive match. A little later, the hosts could had cause for celebration, as Tim Fahrenholz drilled the ball into the right-hand corner from a half-left position to pull a goal back (71). Five minutes later, TSG restored their advantage, as Pavel Kadeřábek slotted the ball home from close range to finish off a tidy combination move (76).

Six minutes before the end, Tom Bischof had a great chance to make it 4-1 from the penalty spot, but the midfielder blasted his spotkick over the bar to keep the score at 3-1. Pellegrino Matarazzo was satisfied after the match: “The result was secondary after an intensive week of training. Especially in the second half, the score could or should have been even higher. The boys are very focused and ready to implement the content we’re working on.”

And goal scorer Grischa Prömel was also happy: “It was a good friendly, even though we arrived with heavy legs. Our first steps have gone well. The coach is challenging us and we are working hard. I previously played together with Marius Bülter at Union Berlin. We can look forward to having him in the team.”

First half line-up: Baumann – Bogarde, Brooks, Nsoki – Justvan, Tohumcu, Skov – Prömel, Damar – Bruun Larsen, Bülter

Second half line-up: Philipp – Drexler (83, Butler), Vogt, Quarshie (83, König) – Kadeřábek, Geiger, John – Bischof, Conté – Beier, Asllani

Goals: 0-1 Prömel (29), 0-2 Vogt (67/penalty), 1-2 Fahrenholz (71), 1-3 Kadeřábek (76)

Match facts and statistics »