FIRST TEAM
09/13/2014

Wolfsburg score late
on to grab a point

Ivica Olic scored an 89th-minute equaliser to cruelly prevent TSG from claiming a deserved victory. In a game lacking in quality, Markus Gisdol's side took the lead early in the second half through Anthony Modeste's flicked finish and looked comfortable, but neat build-up play from Kevin De Bruyne and David Caligiuri allowed Croatian Olic to level. Both sides had further chances to win the game, but couldn't take them.

Tactics and line-up:

Markus Gisdol made two changes to the Hoffenheim team that faced Werder Bremen before the international break. Kevin Volland dropped to the bench after failing to recover from the injury that has been disrupting his training routine recently. The Germany international was replaced in the starting line-up by Anthony Modeste. The other change saw Tarik Elyounoussi, who appeared in both of Norway's matches during the international break, drop to the bench. Sejad Salihovic took his place in the team.

The change in personnel brought with it a change in system for the hosts. Gisdol's team lined up with a midfield diamond. Eugen Polanski was the anchor, with Rudy and Salihovic lining up on the flanks. Roberto Firmino played at the tip of the diamond, just behind a front two of Modeste and Szalai. Despite a change in formation, Hoffenheim looked comfortable. They attacked dangerously and were defensively strong when challenged. However, an injury to Bicakcic unsettled the defence, resulting in Olic's late goal. However, a draw is not a bad result against one of the top teams in the league.

Match highlights:

8th minute:First real chance of the game falls to the home side. A delightful touch from Modeste puts Salihovic in the clear. He races towards goal but his shot lacks conviction and is easily pushed aside by Benaglio.

25th minute: Kevin De Bruyne has already stung the palms of Baumann with a couple of long range efforts, but this one is the first that has posed a real danger to TSG. He cuts inside and fires a shot on goal, which Baumann has to tip behind for a corner.

55th minute:GOOOOAAAALLL: Andreas Beck's shot from 25 yards gets deflected. The looping ball drops behind the Wolfsburg backline. Anthony Modeste manages to get a slight touch on the ball, which was enough to take it past Benaglio. Modeste opens his account for the season in the process.

56th minute:The goal is really invigorating Hoffenheim. The ball was won back straight from the kick-off. Rudy picks it up after a flowing passing move, but fires straight at Benaglio from 20 yards.

65th minute:Wolfsburg are beginning to create chances now. Kevin De Bruyne plays a one-two with Ivica Olic. The Belgian finds himself unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, but fires over when it was easier to score.

89th minute:GOAL: Equaliser. Ivica Olic turns the ball in after good work from De Bruyne and Caligiuri.

94th minute: RED CARD: Josuha Guilavogui receives his marching orders for a second yellow card. Having come on as a 77th-minute substitute, he picked up his second yellow card for fouling Adam Szalai. Can Hoffenheim grab a winner?

95th minute:The final chance of the match goes the way of the home side. Steven Zuber, making his debut, sends an inviting corner into the box. Andreas Beck rises above his marker and fires a header towards goal but Sebastian Jung clears off the line.

Moment of the match:

Anthony Modeste couldn't hide his delight after scoring today. Having put Hoffenheim 1-0 up against Wolfsburg, he celebrated with an exotic dance with Andreas Beck. He was clearly excited to score his first Bundesliga goal of the season.

Number of the match: 85

Ermin Bicakcic had a great game against the Wolves. The Bosnian international won 85% of his tackles in the match, despite carrying an injury for the latter period of the game. TSG had already used their three substitutions, so the Bosnian stuck around and carried on fighting until the end.

Match facts and statistics »

Download Now!
Print Page to top