FIRST TEAM
11/30/2013

It's raining goals: Hoffenheim draw 4-4 after late Bremen goal

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim resumed normal service for the season, as eight goals were scored in a 4-4 thriller in the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena. TSG led Werder Bremen by two goals on two occasions but each time, the visitors came back, with their decisive equaliser coming in stoppage time.

After three successive Bundesliga defeats, a first under Markus Gisdol, Hoffenheim were looking to bounce back with a home win against Bremen. There were three changes to the team that struggled in the 2-0 loss to Augsburg, as Tobias Strobl, Fabian Johnson and Anthony Modeste made way for Sebastian Rudy, Kai Herdling and Sven Schipplock. A little shake up seemed to be doing the trick as TSG looked to be back to their usual selves from the off, showing plenty of attacking intent. Roberto Firmino was put through after five minutes, but his strike was pushed wide by Bremen's Raphael Wolf – regular goalkeeper Sebastian Mielitz was only warming the bench after individual errors in Werder's 3-2 loss to Mainz last week. The next chance came five minutes later from a corner, with Kevin Volland's close-range effort parried by Wolf. The Germany U21 international picked it back up though, before outfoxing Santiago Garcia will some good skill and winning a penalty. Sejad Salihovic, Hoffenheim's expert from 12 yards, stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to put TSG in front.

Unbelievably, just another five minutes later, it was penalty number two for the hosts, after Eugen Polanski was felled by Cedric Makiadi on the edge of the area and this time, Salihovic cheekily chipped the ball down the centre of the goal, much to Raphael Wolf's frustration. It was almost the perfect first half for Hoffenheim, before defensive problems reared their ugly head again to deliver a double blow. Sven Schipplock was penalised for handball after blocking a free kick and referee Wolfgang Stark pointed to the spot for a third time. Aaron Hunt coolly dispatched for what looked like hope for Bremen going into the break, but it ended up being so much more. Werder had time to attack again, as Hunt was played in down the right-hand side and, despite him appearing to be offside, delivered a ball across the face of goal that went through Casteels' legs and provided a tap-in for Eljero Elia. Hoffenheim were stunned, the scoreline at half time was 2-2.

No let up in the second half

Markus Gisdol may have expected a period of recovery for his players at the start of the second 45, but once again they came flying out of the blocks, showing no signs of letting their heads drop. Salihovic advanced forward from left back to deliver a peach of a cross into the box, which left Volland just needing to put his head on it. That's exactly what the 21-year-old did, as TSG restored their lead after 49 minutes and, remarkably, their two-goal advantage returned just five minutes later. Herdling had the ball and time 25 yards out, assessed his options and then hit a thunderous shot into the top corner to make it 4-2. Gisdol ran out onto the pitch to celebrate with his players, but was brought back down to earth after yet another five-minute interval between goals. Clemens Fritz got beyond his man on the right-hand side of the box and pulled back for substitute Nils Petersen, who slid home to get Bremen back in the game, again.

In the remaining half an hour, there was only one side interested in adding to the scoreline. Hoffenheim's attacks slowed as their focus turned towards dealing with Bremen's desire to equalise once more. TSG's efforts were heading towards three points, with one moment of composure in particular from Salihovic seeing him chest the ball safely back to his keeper under immense pressure. As injury time approached, Casteels looked as though he had made amends for his earlier error by saving well from Petersen. However, the resulting corner dropped for another Werder substitute, Philipp Bargfrede, who hammered in a low shot to deny the hosts victory and round off the scoring in a crazy game. Gisdol will have to ensure his troops get over the disappointment of dropping two points as quickly as possible, as there is a last-16 clash in the German Cup against Schalke 04 coming up on Tuesday, December 3rd.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Casteels – Beck, Abraham, Süle, Salihovic – Polanski, Rudy (65' Strobl) – Herdling, Firmino, Volland (87' Johnson) – Schipplock (72' Modeste)

SV Werder Bremen: Wolf – Gebre Selassie, Lukimya, Caldirola, Garcia – Fritz, Makiadi – Elia (46' Petersen), Hunt, Ekici (70' Bargfrede) – Di Santo

Goals: 1-0 Salihovic (12' pen.), 2-0 Salihovic (18' pen.), 2-1 Hunt (45' pen.), 2-2 Elia (45+1'), 3-2 Volland (49'), 4-2 Herdling (54'), 4-3 Petersen (59'), 4-4 Bargfrede (90+1')

Yellow cards: Salihovic, Schipplock – Fritz, Makiadi, Elia, Ekici, Petersen

Referee: Wolfgang Stark

Attendance: 25,608

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