1899 snatch a point at BVB

The Hoffenheim fans who had ventured into the black and yellow cauldron, that is the Signal Iduna Park, will have noticed a few surprises in Ralf Rangnick's starting line-up. With Josip Simunic and Andreas Ibertsberger both out with injuries, Marvin Compper was again moved alongside Isaac Vorsah in the centre of defence. With captain Andreas Beck at right back, the hole at left back was filled by Luiz Gustavo, who normally operates in the number 6 position. Sejad Salihovic, Tobias Weis and Sebastian Rudy made up the midfield, while youngster Boris Vukcevic, who was given a rare chance to impress, joined Peniel Mlapa and Demba Ba up front.

Guests get off to a good start

It was Hoffenheim who got off to a better start. Kevin Großkreutz and the Dortmund fans, thought he had a clear chance on goal, only to realise he had been in an offside position, while Sebastian Rudy was the first player to fire in a warning shot just inside the 9th minute. Then it was Gustavo's time to steal the spotlight on the left flank. Winning the ball just inside his own half the Brazilian powered forward into the BVB penalty area and found Demba Ba with a strong pass. The Senegalese international didn't need asking twice and put the ball past Roman Weidenfeller to make it 0-1 to the guests. It could all have been for nothing, though, a few minutes later. As BVB broke into the 1899 area, Isaac Vorsah was judged to have used his hand and referee Wolfgang Stark had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Nuri Sahin converted comfortably only for the referee to blow his whistle and disallow the goal, forcing Sahin to take it again. But on his second attempt Tom Starke, in the Hoffenheim goal, guessed right and made a full stretch save to keep the penalty out and keep Hoffenheim in front. The game died down after the incident and as Dortmund tried to form something going forward it was clear to see that Sahin, Lucas Barrios and Shinji Kagawa were not hitting their stride in the match. The most promising attacks were coming from the industrious Gustavo who was doing a fantastic job filling in on the left. He managed to set-up a flat shot from Boris Vukcevic on the 25th minute, but Weidenfeller was able to gather it easily. With BVB taking possession, but providing no cutting edge and Hoffenheim staying strong defensively, the 80,720 fans were not being treated to game full of chances.

Starke stays strong between the sticks

After a drab first half that saw Hoffenheim in front the fans were hoping for a little more in the second half. Dortmund came out raring to go and ready to put Hoffenheim's lead under pressure. The first chance of the half, though, fell to Ba again. He took down a long ball over the top, but he could only find the arms of Weidenfeller with his placed effort. Then after Großkreutz curled an effort wide of the target, BVB began picking up the pace, with Tom Starke facing a barrage of attempts in the Hoffenheim goal. Despite this Dortmund remained rather tame in the efforts, the best chance falling to Lucas Barrios who lost Marvin Compper with a lovely turn to find space, only to place his shot wide of the mark on 60 minutes. Hoffenheim fans were holding the breath throughout the closing stages, especially when their hosts had a free kick or dead ball situation. Wave after wave of attack was levelled at Tom Starke, who was happy just to keep Sahin and co. at bay and frustrate them in attempts to win another match in a row. There were definitely a few hairy moments for 1899 as corners and free kicks both caused confusion in the box, but Hoffenheim were finally broken down in the 92nd minute. It was a direct free-kick from Antonio da Silva who cracked the nut to level the score and deny a hard working Hoffenheim team all three points.

 

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