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1899 torn apart by hungry Wolves
Match report
Hoffenheim coach Rang Rangnick was forced into one change, Eichner coming in for Ibertsberger, who suffered a broken cheek in the 1-0 win against Freiburg last week. After the impressive 3-0 against Besiktas in the Champions League, Grafite came back into the side, with Obafemi Martins falling to the bench.
In an entertaining first half, Hoffenheim took the lead on 23 minutes, Ibisevic with a header from Maicosuel's cross. Salihovic could have doubled the home side's lead, but his free kick struck the right-hand post just before half time.
Hoffenheim were unrecognisable in the second half, and Wolfsburg took full advantage. The equaliser came on 52 minutes, Misimovic with a volley after finding space in the six-yard box. It got worse for Hoffenheim on 57 minutes, as Edin Dzeko let the ball drop for Grafite after Schäfer's cross, the Brazilian slamming the ball home past Hildebrand to score on his return to the side.
Hoffenheim tried everything to get back into the game, but Wolfsburg were resolute and saw out the rest of the game to earn the three points.
Zvjezdan Misimovic: In the first half Hoffenheim were the better side, but in the second half we ripped the game from them, and in the end we deserved the victory.
Christian Eichner: I can't explain the 15 minutes after the break. We ignored everything that we needed to do defensively and offensively. It's annoying that we've lost considering that we had the lead.
Grafite: We weren't in the game first half, and the coach wasn't happy at half time. The second half was much better though. I'm so happy, now that I'm back from my time to reflect.
Timo Hildebrand: It makes me sick, that the main reason we lost today was because we kept on giving the ball away in dangerous areas. The second half was like the opposite of the first half, and as a top team we need to be on it for the full 90 minutes. We would have been able to have taken a firm grip on the game, had we not had so many errors. It's really a psychological thing, which the coach can do little about.
Ralf Rangnick: It isn't enough to just play well in one half, In the first half we were at them straight away and we played at a high tempo, and we deserved our lead. We kept Wolfsburg quiet, but in the second half it was a completely different story. In the second half, we simply didn't deserve to win. We hadn't ran out of energy at half time, there was plenty more in the tank. We haven't managed to beat a top side again, but the season is certainly not over yet.
Armin Veh: We knew it would be a hard game after that great win in the Champions League. Our opposition pressed well early on and they had a good first half. But the second half was totally different. We were more aggressive and kept the ball better, and created good chances. Hoffenheim were individually very good though, we struggled with Carlos Eduardo the whole afternoon. All in all a very good win.
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