FIRST TEAM
07/21/2011

1899 on form in 4-1 win

Thanks to a strong second half performance 1899 Hoffenheim overcame lower league opposition as they convincingly beat SV Waldhof Mannheim in front of 4,647 fans inside the Carl-Benz-Stadion in Mannheim. Firmino, Tagoe, Babel and were all on the score sheet for Stanislawski's side to round off the 4-1 win, while Hock contributed with an unfortunate own goal.

“Stani” is seven down

Head coach Holger Stanislawski opted for a 4-2-3-1 system with Vedad Ibisevic leading the line and Babel, Mlapa and Firmino rotating behind the Bosnian striker. “Stani” was missing seven of his squad members as Rudy (thigh), Sigurdsson, Ibertsberger (both knee), Jaissle (achilles), Gulde (groin) were all ruled out, while Vukcevic and Vorsah have only returned to light training and were therefore unavailable.

1899 pulling the strings

For the first time in their new ‘Suntech' sponsored kits 1899 Hoffenheim took charge of possession and put a tremendous amount of pressure on Waldorf early on with Babel and Mlapa reeking havoc in behind the backline. The Dutch winger was getting to the byline with ease and twice set up Mlapa in front of goal inside the opening ten minutes. Mlapa scored the first chance, but saw his ruled out for offside and the second drifted agonizingly passed the youngster's outstretched foot. SV Waldhof heeded the warning and tightened up at the back to hold Stanislawski's side at bay, but they couldn't handle Babel who again broke free down the wing just before the half hour mark. Ibisevic was the intended target this time, but the Bosnian wasted the chance shooting wide of the target. The hosts were defending in two solid banks of four and although 1899 held possession of the ball, they lacked penetration despite some wonderful movement. However, two minutes before the break, the deadlock was broken. Ibisevic found space in the box to turn his man before unleashing a fierce effort that Adolf could only parry into the path of Roberto Firmino who duly slid the ball into the back of the net. Stanislawski's side thought they had done enough to take the lead in at half-time, but the hosts had other ideas as they saved their best for the last minute. Dauraj broke in behind defence, with a suspicion of offside, but did well to hold off the back tracking Braafheid before lobbing the ball over 1899 keeper Haas to draw SV Waldhof Mannheim level on the stroke of half-time.

Babel bags a deserved goal

Stanislawski made three changes during the break with Obasi, Vestergaard and Johnson replacing Mlapa, Simunic and Beck. Ibisevic got proceedings underway, but was once again off target with his effort inside five minutes, before failing to put the finishing touches on Johnson's delivery into the box. Just past the hour mark and there were some unpleasant scenes when Christopher Hock accidentally caught Marvin Compper with his elbow, meaning a banged up Compper had to leave the field with a nasty cut on his cheek. Braafheid moved into the centre and Raitala took over at left-back in the reshuffle as 1899 turned up the heat in the closing stages. With just over fifteen minutes remaining they were given a helping hand when Hock put the ball in his own net, to make it 2-1 to 1899, but Tagoe settled the nerves further when Schipplock dummied Johnson's ball in allowing the Ghanaian to find the bottom corner four minutes later giving the Sinsheim side a two-goal advantage. It wasn't enough though as Babel got a deserved goal four minutes from time when his effort crept in at the near post to round off the scoring for 1899 Hoffenheim.

1899 Hoffenheim: Haas – Beck (46' Johnson), Compper (67' Raitala), Simunic (46' Vestergaard), Braafheid – Weis (67' Kaiser), Salihovic (55' Zuculini) - Mlapa (46' Obasi), Firmino (74' Tagoe), Babel – Ibisevic (67' Schipplock).
Waldhof Mannheim
: Adolf (46' Lutz) - Scheuring (46' Fazlija), Geiger, Heinrich, Demirkol – Kakoko (76' Suworow), Grujicic (46' Hock), Malchow (76' Schmitt), Wagner (46.'Reith)- Rabihou, Dautaj (63' Pinna).
Goals
: 1:0 Firmino (43'), 1:1 Dautaj (45'), 2:1 Hock (74' OG), 3:1 Tagoe (78'), 4:1 Babel (86'). Referee: Göpferich (Bauerbach). Attendance: 4647. Yellow Cards: Hock (65.).

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