TSG downed by late Leverkusen winner

Tactics and line-up:

Manager Markus Gisdol was forced into two changes for the game against Leverkusen. Germany U21 international Niklas Süle, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Eintracht Frankfurt, was obviously unable to play and was replaced by Tobias Strobl in the heart of the defence. The rest of the back four remained the same as last time out, with the ever-present Oliver Baumann between the posts.

Eugen Polanski missed the game due to a toe injury and was replaced in holding midfield by Sebastian Rudy, who partnered Pirmin Schwegler just in front of the back four. The 4-2-3-1 formation was retained once more, with Kevin Volland and Tarik Elyounoussi on the wings, whilst Brazil international Roberto Firmino played just off returning striker Adam Szalai, who replaced Anthony Modeste in the starting XI.

Match highlights:

7th Minute:Early chance for the hosts! Roberto Firmino capitalises on a mistake by Toprak and breaks in on the Leverkusen goal. He manages to get a shot away under pressure from the recovering Spahic, but Leno does well to keep his effort out.

15th Minute:This time it's the turn of TSG's keeper to make a great save. Stefan Kießling fires a shot that looks destined for the bottom right-hand corner, but Oliver Baumann makes a brilliant save down to his right to keep the score at 0-0.

23rdminute:Kießling manages to get another shot away from inside the Hoffenheim box, but this time it goes just wide of the left post.

25th minute:Set-piece specialist Hakan Calhanoglu whips in a corner right under Baumann's bar. However, the keeper is on hand to turn it over for another corner.

43rd minute:A TSG free kick is half cleared by the visitors, and the ball falls to Germany international Sebastian Rudy on the edge of the box. The midfielder has a pop with his left foot, but it's straight at Leno.

48th minute:BAUMANN! Son plays in Castro inside the Hoffenheim box and the midfielder manages to get his close-range shot on target. But Baumann makes himself big to keep the ball out and it remains scoreless.

50th minute:GOAL…OR NOT!! At first glance, it looked as if Adam Szalai had given Hoffenheim the lead! Volland chips the ball to the back post for the striker, whose header looks destined for the back of the net, but Toprak somehow manages to clear the ball off the line!

67th minute: Kießling cuts inside Strobl and finds some space on the edge of the box, but his rasping left-footed drive goes whistling just over the bar.

78th minute:Great defending from TSG! Bellarabi is through on goal and is denied by Baumann, but the rebound looks to be falling into the path of an on-rushing Leverkusen player. However, Jin-Su Kim makes an excellent last-ditch tackle to clear the ball out of his path.

79th minute:GOAL for Leverkusen. 1-0: Could that be the winner? Substitute Julian Brandt fires a low cross across the face of goal and striker Stefan Kießling, who has looked dangerous all night, is on hand to put the ball into an unguarded net with just over ten minutes remaining. Can Hoffenheim come up with some late drama?

82nd minute:There's almost an instant reply from the hosts! Adam Szalai is played through on goal after some lovely build-up play, but his shot is straight at Leno, who manages to gather at the second attempt! So close!

88th minute:Hoffenheim, with few players back, allow Son the opportunity to fashion a chance in the box, but Baumann reacts well once more to parry his shot behind for a corner.

90th minute: Kevin Volland has a go from a tight angle, but his shot goes agonisingly wide of the far post with three blue shirts all unable to get something on it! That has to be the last chance of the game now, surely?

Moment of the match:

Adam Szalai's header in the 50th minute caused a brief stir inside the stadium. A lot of people wouldn't have minded seeing a short demonstration of the upcoming goal-line technology at the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena, but it would have shown what we all saw on the television after the final whistle – the fact that Toprak cleared the ball off the line…just.

Number of the match: 34

That's how many fouls there were in this intense match – the pre-Christmas cheer was not evident on the pitch in Sinsheim. But it was to be expected in a game between the two teams that have entered the most challenges in the league.

Match facts and statistics »