Battling TSG are beaten in Manchester
PERSONNEL & TACTICS
Dennis Geiger made his comeback for the TSG Hoffenheim first team following a nine-month injury layoff. Julian Nagelsmann made four other changes to the starting XI that drew with Wolfsburg at the weekend, with Kasim Adams recalled to the team to play alongside Benjamin Hübner, Nico Schulz and Pavel Kaderabek in a back four in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
Geiger played alongside Florian Grillitsch and Leonardo Bittencourt in an entirely new-look midfield, while Joshua Brenet returned to the starting line-up and featured in a front three alongside Andrej Kramaric and Joelinton.
Brenet made way for Reiss Nelson at the start of the second half. Midfielder Nadiem Amiri then made his comeback in the 63rd minute following several months out with injury, replacing Geiger, before Ishak Belfodil came on in place of Bittencourt on the 70-minute mark.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
The 59th minute. Nelson had a big opportunity to re-establish the Hoffenheim lead against the run of play but his effort from the right side of the box was kept out by City custodian Ederson and Leroy Sané fired the hosts into the lead at the other end two minutes later.
NUMBER OF THE GAME: 277
Dennis Geiger was making his first competitive appearance for the TSG first team since featuring in a 3-0 victory over VfL Wolfsburg on 10 March − some 277 days ago. Welcome back, Dennis!