Hoffenheim advance to cup quarter-finals

Holger Stanislawski kept faith with the same eleven which drew 1-1 with Hertha Berlin last Saturday, meaning Isaac Vorsah kept his place in defence, despite his red card in that game.

Augsburg kicked off, but it was the home side which emerged quickest out of the blocks. A long ball into the Augsburg box caused confusion amongst the defenders, and Ibisevic had to be denied by a brave challenge from goalkeeper Mohamed Amsif. And just minutes later, Salihovic went close from distance after a superb team move involving Peniel Mlapa, Andreas Beck and Roberto Firmino.

Augsburg did stem the tide of pressure on their goal temporarily, when Tobias Werner sent in a dangerous cross which keeper Tom Starke could only parry clear. But the home side continued to press and got the reward their dominance merited in the 23rd minute. Peniel Mlapa was fouled in a central position, about 20 yards out, and Salihovic stepped up to curl a superb free-kick into the corner, leaving Amsif well beaten.

Stanislawski' side were a goal to the good and deservedly so. And hardly had Augsburg restarted from centre before they came within a whisker of going 2-0 down. Fabian Johnson, who currently leads the assists table in the Hoffenheim squad, fizzed a ball across the away side's goal, but Firmino's controlled volley was well picked out by Amsif.

Hoffenheim were well on top in the game, spraying the ball around with confidence and giving Augsburg problems all over the pitch. An equaliser looked unlikely, but it arrived ten minutes before the end of the first half, vastly against the run of play. Edmond Kapllani had shot wide of Tom Starke's post on 34 minutes, but Torsten Oehrl made no mistake when he tapped in for an easy finish after a low cross from Werner (36).

To their credit, Hoffenheim refused to change their gameplan and continued to construct attacks as if the score were still 1-0. Firmino played Ibisevic through with a delightful touch, and the Bosnian forward was able to lift the ball over the advancing keeper, only for Augsburg captain Paul Verhaeg to clear on the goal-line. Mlapa had a further effort saved, but the sides went into the break on level terms, despite TSG being having by far the better chances.

Whatever Stanislawski said to his players at half-time, it must have struck a chord, as the Sinsheimers went in front again just two minutes into the second half. Andreas Beck was fouled on the right wing. Salihovic – who else – swung in the free-kick and there was his compatriot Ibisevic to nod in from close range for a goal his performance had warranted (47).

Backed by an enthusiastic crowd, Hoffenheim went on the advance again and came close to opening up a two-goal lead on a number of occasions. Ryan Babel dribbled the length of the field and fed a delicious ball into the Augsburg box, but no team-mate could get on the end of it. Salihovic then tested the keeper with a right-footed effort, when he might have been better positioned to strike with his left, before Sebastian Rudy tried his luck with a long ranger which wasn't too far off target.

With fifteen minutes to go, Augsburg had possibly their best chance of the game. Akaki Gogia, on in place of the ineffectual Lorenzo Davids, found space to crack in a low drive at goal. It was heading into the near corner, until Starke got down well to tip the ball round for a corner kick. Daniel Williams, a player renowned for his engine, was then brought on by Stanislawski to make the result safe, while Sven Schipplock also came into the game to eat up a few more seconds (88).

The substitutions worked and Hoffenheim saw out the game 2-1. Scenes of jubilation followed for the home side and their fans at the final whistle, and 1899 can look forward to competing in both domestic competitions in the second half of the season.

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