Emphatic victory over Brondby

Tactics and line-up:

Once again, Hoffenheim played with a 4-2-3-1 formation, their familiar setup in the first half of the season, despite a few minor changes now and again. As usual, the formation switched to a 4-4-2 when defending. Volland and Zuber moved alongside the two defensive midfield players and Firmino pushed up next to Modeste.

The TSG line-up featured Jens Grahl in goal, with Andreas Beck, Ermin Bicakcic, Tobias Strobl and Jeremy Toljan making up the back four. Sebastian Rudy and Eugen Polanski operated as the two defensive midfield players, while Steven Zuber, Roberto Firmino and Kevin Volland formed the attacking trio behind lone striker Anthony Modeste.

Hoffenheim's advanced full backs were as prominent as ever as Hoffenheim looked to attack the away team early on in the match. When a Brondby centre back was on the ball, Hoffenheim's defensive line was as high as the half-way line at times. Ermin Bicakcic was the one organising things.

After the break, the game took on a typical friendly look, as the changes came thick and fast. Modeste, Polanski, Strobl and Toljan came off and were replaced by Szalai, Schwegler, Abraham and Salihovic. Hoffenheim didn't lose any of their rhythm though. Schipplock, Elyounoussi, Haberer, Herdling, Rapp and Amiri were also introduced later on.

Match highlights:

12th minute: The first opportunity of the match. In a combined effort, Beck, Firmino and Volland steal the ball just outside the opponents' area. Volland has a go from an angle about 20 yards from goal, but his effort isn't accurate enough and it's no problem for Hradecky.

17th minute: GOAL! 1-0 to TSG, but it's a visiting player who inadvertently gets his name on the scoresheet. Keeper Hradecky plays the ball out to centre back Ornskov. He wants to pass back but catches the goalkeeper by surprise, a little bump on the pitch, an air swing – and it's in. What an odd goal.

32nd minute: Great free kick up and over the wall from Rudy around 30 yards out. Hradecky is a spectator, but the ball just zips inches wide of the post.

43rd minute: GOAL! Anthony Modeste adds a second. It isn't as nice as his goal against Kaizer Chiefs, but it's still a great goal in its own right. Rudy chips the ball into the area, Modeste takes it with his back to goal and fires in on the turn.

52nd minute: TSG are pushing and pushing. Crone just about manages to tip a Steven Zuber header behind. The corner doesn't come to anything.

53rd minute: GOAL! That's 3-0. Ermin Bicakcic climbs the highest at the back post and nods in. A fine cross from Sejad Salihovic too – a goal made in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

62nd minute: Sven Schipplock hasn't been on the pitch long and he's already causing problems for the Brondby defence. A great ball finds fellow striker Adam Szalai, who is only denied Hoffenheim's fourth by a last-ditch Semb Berge tackle.

69th minute: GOAL! Sven Schipplock beats his man and comes out on top in the one-on-one with the keeper too. Easy goal for 4-0.

70th minute: GOAL! Adam Szalai has a pop from 30 yards and the balls is in the back of the net again! It's now 5-0 to the hosts, who are cruising.

73rd minute: GOAL! Unbelievable! Every shot is turning into a goal. Tarik Elyounoussi fires into the far corner from the edge of the box. It's like shooting practice.

75th minute: GOAL! This is getting ridiculous! Adam Szalai strikes again to make it four goals in six minutes. We might have mentioned it already, but this is unbelievable! 7-0!

85th minute: Szalai almost gets his hat-trick, but Almebäck is able to hold onto his shot from just inside the area. If he had parried it, Elyounoussi would have been on hand to poke home.

Reaction from Markus Gisdol:

Brondby did really well during the first half. It was an even game and we didn't have too many chances. The team kept their foot on the gas and managed to stick to the tactics despite of the many substitutions. We have a lot of players who are in good form. Still, we shouldn't read into the win too much.