FIRST TEAM
12/12/2018

Battling TSG are beaten in Manchester

TSG Hoffenheim had been hoping for a miracle on UEFA Champions League Matchday 6 but it did not materialise as they were beaten 2-1 (1-1) by Manchester City and knocked out of Europe. Andrej Kramaric gave the visitors hope when he slotted home a penalty in the 16th minute, but a Leroy Sane brace (45+1, 61) turned the game on its head and sealed the win for City.

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!

Match facts and statistics »

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