FIRST TEAM
08/25/2012

Hoffenheim rue lack of attacking guile

Despite placing a strong focus on the improvement of their defensive duties, Markus Babbel's side suffered from a lack of a threat at the other end of the field in their 2-1 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach on the opening day of the 50th Bundesliga season. TSG looked to have stolen a point after Roberto Firmino had cancelled out Hanke's opener, but a superb free-kick from Juan Arango won the game for the home side.

Hoffenheim's early defensive improvement was clear to see as they denied Gladbach in the early stages of this Bundesliga game. Markus Babbel had clearly asked his side to focus on keeping a clean-sheet after their surprising cup exit last week and TSG certainly looked far more organised at the back, but it was their lack of an attacking threat that cost them. Hoffenheim's forward play was limited to an effort from Roberto Firmino in the first half, which was saved comfortably by ter Stegen. Gladbach continued to have more possession but kept making the wrong decisions in the final third. Shortly after the half-hour mark though, Arango whipped in a free-kick just outside the area on the left-hand side and Mike Hanke just got in front of Beck to head Gladbach into the lead. Hoffenheim were forced to come out and attack but yet again Firmino's effort found ter Stegen's grateful hands as the half-time whistle arrived.

In the second half, Hoffenheim started more brightly but equally couldn't force the issue in and around the Gladbach box. Tobias Weis did well to beat Hanke and find some space on the right-hand side of the box but he couldn't find a team-mate with his pass. TSG came again though and after Derdiyok headed at ter Stegen and Vukcevic hit the side netting from range, Hoffenheim got their equaliser. Vukcevic again did well out wide before drilling the ball into the box finding Derdiyok, whose flicked effort could only be palmed upwards by the young ter Stegen and Roberto Firmino was on hand to head the ball in from close range.

Both sides then returned to the cagey atmosphere of the first half, neither one wanting to lose the game. Gladbach made the first advance of the latter stages as Nordtveit forced a great save from TSG goalkeeper Tim Wiese with his half-volley. Hoffenheim then countered, only for Derdiyok to fire wide. Gladbach came again and with ten minutes to go Granit Xhaka won a free-kick right on the edge of the area in a central position. Juan Arango stepped up and curled the ball superbly past an indecisive Tim Wiese to restore Gladbach's lead. Hoffenheim sought desperately for yet another equaliser in the latter stages of the game and nearly found it when substitute Usami's teasing ball into the area just evaded a TSG foot. Unfortunately for Hoffenheim, it was not to be as Gladbach ran out winners. Markus Babbel has every reason to be happy with the evident defensive improvement of his side, but will now look for his team to pose more of a goal threat, particularly at home against Eintracht Frankfurt next week.

Gladbach: ter Stegen – Jantschke, Stranzl, Brouwers, Daems – Ring (63' Herrmann), Nordtveit, G. Xhaka, Arango – L. de Jong (80' de Camargo), Hanke (73' Hrgota)

Hoffenheim: Wiese – Beck, Delpierre, Compper, Johnson – Rudy, Weis (82' Salihovic) – Vukcevic, Volland, Roberto Firmino (68' Usami) – Derdiyok (80' Schipplock)

Attendance: 50,100, Referee: Peter Sippel, Goals: 1-0 Hanke (33'), 1-1 Firmino (65'), 2-1 Arango (79')

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