FIRST TEAM
04/19/2014

Missed penalty costs TSG in disappointing away defeat

Hoffenheim were left to rue miss chances in Bremen as they slipped to a disappointing away defeat on matchday 31. TSG took the lead through Roberto Firmino in the third minute before Bargfrede equalised for Werder in the first half. A late goal from defender Garcia, coupled with a Salihovic penalty miss and a third Bremen goal was enough to condemn Gisdol's side to their seventh away defeat of the season.

There was only one change from the Hoffenheim side which comfortably defeated Augsburg on matchday 30. Jeremy Toljan replaced the suspended Andreas Beck at left back. In attack, Kevin Volland was preferred as the lone striker while Tarik Elyounoussi played on the left of an attacking midfield trio.

TSG quick out the blocks

Hoffenheim continued from where they left off on Sunday against Augsburg as they took the lead within three minutes. Roberto Firmino battled in the final third, holding off challenges from Werder defenders and slipped an inch perfect pass through to Volland, who timed his run to perfection. The poacher expertly rounded the on-rushing Wolf and side footed the ball into an empty net from an acute angle. It was a dream start for TSG and Volland, who scored his tenth of the season. The away fans were in fine voice after the goal and Hoffenheim pushed for a second.

However, this was in all vain when Bremen equalised on 18 minutes. A Werder cross wasn't fully cleared by the TSG defence and the ball eventually fell to Philipp Bargfrede on the edge of the box, whose powerful half-volley flew into the top right corner of the goal. Grahl was helpless and Hoffenheim were back to square one. The match progressed into a real end-to-end affair as both teams looked dangerous on the counterattack, although neither side were able to carve out a clear-cut chance. Sebastian Rudy saw yellow for a late challenge before Grahl saved well to stop Bargfrede from adding his second from long range. Elyounoussi picked up a yellow card in the closing stages, his fifth of the season, which means he will miss the next match against Frankfurt. That proved to be the final action of the half as the teams deservedly went back to the dressing rooms level pegging.

Second half to forget

Niklas Süle replaced Strobl at half time in a straight swap and TSG began the second 45 as they did in the first, playing the majority of their football in the final third. Bremen always looked threatening on the counter and were able to get in behind TSG's back four on numerous occasions. Grahl continued his fantastic form as he pulled out a terrific save on 57 minutes. Eljero Elia twisted and turned inside the Hoffenheim box and struck a powerful half-volley which Grahl was equal to. Jiloan Hamad was introduced five minutes later for the yellow-carded Elyounoussi and the Swede had an almost immediate impact upon the game. A Hoffenheim break resulted in Hamad finding himself with only Wolf between him and the goal, but the striker struck a right-footed shot which went agonisingly wide of the post. This chance spurred the away team on as they piled forward, but only had a few corners and half chances to show for their efforts. The TSG fans roared their side on further and had the ball in the back in the net 17 minutes from time only to see Firmino's effort ruled out for an infringement.

They were left to rue their missed chances in the 78th minute. A Bremen corner was met by the head of Santiago Garcia and the Argentine's effort went beyond the despairing Grahl as Werder took the lead. Modeste was brought on in place of Rudy with eight minutes left as Markus Gisdol threw his last roll of the dice in search of a late equaliser. And they appeared to hit the jackpot two minutes later after the Frenchman's introduction. Modeste was felled by the goalscorer Garcia in the box, who turned from hero to zero in a matter of moments. The referee pointed to the spot and midfield maestro Sejad Salihovic stepped forward for the penalty. The Bosnian struck the ball low and hard to Wolf's left but the Bremen keeper guessed correctly and TSG were left to rue another golden opportunity. Hoffenheim looked understandably deflated after the penalty miss and Bremen compounded their misery in stoppage time. As TSG were committing more and more men forward in search of an equaliser, they were caught on the counter. Di Santo ran down the right flank unchallenged and passed the ball to substitute Nils Petersen, who diverted the ball past Grahl and condemned Hoffenheim to a miserable away defeat. Despite being egged on by their own fans, TSG were unable to convert chance in an eggciting Easter encounter.

Oliver Trenchard

Werder Bremen: Wolf – Garcia, Caldirola, Prödl, Fritz (64 'Ignjovski) – Makiadi, Bargfrede, Gebre Selassie – Hunt (90+1' Petersen) – Elia (87' Lukimya), Di Santo

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Grahl – Johnson, Strobl (46' Süle), Vestergaard, Toljan - Polanski, Rudy (82' Modeste) – Elyounoussi (61' Hamad), Salihovic, Firmino – Volland

Goals: 0-1 Volland (3'), 1-1 Bargfrede (18'), 2-1 Garcia (78'), 3-1 Petersen (90+2')

Yellow cards: Garcia – Rudy, Elyounoussi, Grahl

Referee: Bastian Dankert

Attendance: 41,000

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