Training camp ends with a win

TSG Hoffenheim's second pre-season training camp has ended on a high note after they beat Chievo 5-0 (2-0) in a friendly. Kerem Demirbay, Pavel Kadarabek, Stefan Posch, Joelinton and Vincenzo Grifo were all on the scoresheet at the FC Wels stadium.

A TSG team captained by Kevin Vogt, who was appointed to the role for the coming season by the players and coaching staff, took an early lead when Kerem Demirbay met a Nico Schulz cross with an unstoppable header into the top corner. Despite a plethora of chances, it was not until the 45th minute that Pavel Kaderabek doubled the advantage, the right-back latching on to a pass from Adam Szalai and keeping his cool to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.

11 changes at the break

Julian Nagelsmann fielded a completely different XI in the second half − handing Steven Zuber, who was making his first pre-season appearance following his World Cup exploits in Russia, the captaincy.

The second period had barely started when TSG extended their lead to 3-0 thanks to a long-range effort from Stefan Posch (46). The fourth was very much a goal made in Brazil: Felipe Pires made a breakthrough down the left flank and picked out striker Joelinton, who fired a spectacular effort into the net from the edge of the penalty area (69).

The scorer of the fifth and final goal was Vincenzo Grifo, who received a pass from Joelinton before sending a well-placed low shot into the corner (83).

Coach Julian Nagelsmann was satisfied with the match: "The lads performed very well. We had a good foothold in the game after a few minutes and dominated the opponent. We're implementing lots of things well and creating many chances. All in all, the training camp was very successful."

Back to Zuzenhausen on Sunday

Having won the friendly, TSG will warm down in Windischgarsten on Sunday before returning to Zuzenhausen on Sunday morning. The next training session is scheduled for Wednesday.

TSG line-up: Baumann (Kobel, 46) – Kaderabek (Brenet, 46), Bicakcic (Akpoguma, 46), Vogt (Hoogma, 46), Adams (Posch, 46), Schulz (Pires, 46) – Grillitsch (Nordtveit, 46), Demirbay (Grifo, 46), Amiri (Zuber, 46) – Belfodil (Joelinton, 46), Szalai (Otto, 46)

Goals: 1-0 Demirbay (16), 2-0 Kaderabek (45), 3-0 Posch (46), 4-0 Joelinton (69), 5-0 Grifo (83)

Match facts and statistics »