TSG win against
Kaizer Chiefs - #tsginrsa

Tactics and personnel:

Markus Gidsol deployed his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation in their final match during their training camp in South Africa. There were few changes to most matches from the first half of the season. Andreas Beck, David Abraham, Ermin Bicakcic and Tobias Strobl made up the back four in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. That defence was protected by anchormen Pirmin Schwegler and Eugen Polanski.

It was then a sight that many TSG fans were familiar with – Kevin Volland, Roberto Firmino and Tarik Elyounoussi sat in attacking midfield behind lone striker Adam Szalai.

Also: Schwegler usually played deeper behind the attacking Polanski and left-back Strobl had the tendency to sit a bit higher up the pitch thank Andreas Beck on the other flank. Both expanded the team's play when in possession.

As is almost always the case in friendly matches, Markus Gisdol was far from frugal with his substitutions at the break. Modeste, Salihovic, Rudy, Amiri and Toljan came off the bench with Szalai, Bicakcic, Polanski and Beck making way.

Steven Zuber, Jiloan Hamad, Kai Herdling and Nicolai Rapp also came on later on in the game. All under the motto of the heavy burden following a tiring training camp.

Match minutes:

4th minute: Roberto Firmino and Tarik Elyounoussi cause havoc in the Chiefs‘ box. The Brazlilian releases from 13 metres out. Looks good but is blocked. Corner. Comes to nothing.

13^th minute: Maluleka crosses a long diagonal ball into the TSG penalty area. Tshabalala comes in at the back past but narrowly misses.

14th minute: Szalai fires. On the turn. Eleven metres out. Sooooo close! The chance of the game – TSG almost take the lead.

33^rd minute: It's Tshabalala who's looking dangerous again. He does some neat footwork on the edge of the box and then pulls the trigger with his left. Baumann holds the low shot. Chance for the hosts.

59^th minute: Firmino is down the left wing and sees Elyounoussi, who feeds Amiri in turn. The youngster releases with his right with power from 14 metres out. Over. Just over. You can sense a goal coming.

70^th minute: The breakthrough! And what a way to do it! Steven Zuber goes past his man on the flank and finds Anthony Modeste. He takes it on the volley and smashes it under the crossbar. Unbelievable strike! 1-0!

71st minute:Zuber does well again. He's trying to find the net himself this time. His right-footed thunderbolt from 14 metres goes narrowly over the corner of the woodwork. Good effort.

73rd minute: Zuber & Modeste. Two, who are searching and finding this evening. Zuber plays in the Frenchman again, who aims for the far corner from 15 metres. Peterse is there though to dive low and clear.

Reaction from Markus Gisdol:

That was the more important test for us today. We prepared to come on a further step and put into place things that we had worked on until now. We did that all round. I was particularly pleased with the first 30 minutes and the second half. We worked well in possession and dominated against a strong opponent. Kaizer Chiefs were almost always dangerous from set pieces. This win is important with us to go back to Germany with a good feeling.