Hoffenheim go down to Al Wahda FC Abu Dhabi

The pre-season period is reaching its crucial phase, with just two weeks until the Bundesliga kick off against Werder Bremen The tactical training has been done in Leogang, now it is more about match practice for Rangnick's players. So it made perfect sense to play the biggest club from Abu Dhabi, a good test which 1899 unluckily ended up as losers. Although Hoffenheim controlled the game, dominating possession against an aggressive opponent, they were unable to create enough crucial chances in the opposition half. A number of fouls from both teams contributed to a stop-start affair, with Prince Tagoe's header in the first half the only real chance for the hosts. Demba Ba created numerous opportunities for himself, but was unable to test the goalkeeper.

Rangnick made changes at half time, but they were unable to bring him any joy. Then against the run of play Abu Dhabi took the lead - Ibrahim wriggling free of Haas and firing the ball into the back of the Hoffenheim net. Chances presented themselves for Rangnick's players, but Prince Tagoe was only able to direct his close-range header into the arms of the goalkeeper (63), while Boris Vukcevic's long-range effort was also directed towards the keeper. Moments later it was Sejad Slihovic threatening the opposition goal, but Ali came out to gather the ball comfortably (69). Hoffenheim pressed until the end, but were unable to convert their numerous chances to level the scores, the game ending 0:1 to the visitors.

"It is obviously annoying that we couldn't put our possession to better use. But we primarily used this game to get all of the players up to speed ahead ot the season", said head coach Ralf Rangnick after the game.

1899 Hoffenheim - Al-Wahda FC Abu Dhabi 0:1 (0:0)
1899 Hoffenheim: Starke (46. Haas) - Ibertsberger (46. Raitala), Gulde (21. Compper), Vorsah (76. Neupert), Eichner (66. Simunic) - Carlos Eduardo (76. Groß), Kaiser (46. Vukcevic), Luiz Gustavo (46. Salihovic) - Thomalla (63. Ludwig), Tagoe (66. Ibisevic), Ba (46. Mlapa).
Goals: 0:1 Ibrahim (58.). Attendance: 1000. Referee: Markus Pflaum (Hallstadt).