Yeni Malatyaspor
Ankaragücü
Leeds United
Sheffield Utd
B. Dortmund
St. Pauli
Alaves
R. Valladolid
Monaco
Lille
Match summary
The two teams played out a turbulent opening in front of 58,000 supporters at the MHP Arena. Both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock inside eight minutes, but two pieces of last-ditch defending – including a goal-line clearance – kept the score goalless.
Visitors strike first
After an evenly matched start, VfB gradually gained control of proceedings and Maxi Mittelstädt twice went close from long range (33’, 35’) – but Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was equal to both efforts.
The home side appeared to have a firm grip on the contest at that stage, but Valentin Gendrey struck out of nothing to give the visitors the lead with one minute of the first half remaining.
VfB rewarded at the last
There was no shortage of effort from Sebastian Hoeneß’s team after half-time, but they failed to make the most of the goalscoring opportunities that fell their way. Just as the hosts looked set to fall to a narrow defeat, they were given a golden opportunity to equalise when the ball struck Kevin Akpoguma’s hand inside the area. Ermedin Demirovic’s penalty was saved by Baumann, but the VfB striker converted the rebound to make it 1-1 and send the home supporters into raptures.
The goals:
44th minute: Gendrey capitalises on a moment of uncertainty in the VfB rearguard before beating Alexander Nübel to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
95th minute: The video assistant referee awards VfB a penalty following Akpoguma’s handball, and Demirovic fires home the rebound from his saved spot kick to earn the hosts a point.
Special mentions:
El Bilal Touré was handed his full VfB debut on Sunday evening, while Chris Führich made his 100th Bundesliga appearance – 98 of which have come in a VfB shirt.
