TSG overturn deficit to beat Bremen

TSG Hoffenheim's home debut ended in victory as they beat Werder Bremen 3-2 (0-1) in their first match at the PreZero Arena this term. Coach Alfred Schreuder's team were 1-0 down at the break, but three second-half goals from Ermin Bičakčić, Ihlas Bebou and Pavel Kaderabek were enough to seal the win.

Personnel & tactics:

Head coach Alfred Schreuder made two changes to the starting XI that was defeated 1-0 by Eintracht Frankfurt on the opening day of the season, with Konstantinos Stafylidis and Christoph Baumgartner replacing Steven Zuber, who is carrying a knock, and Lukas Rupp respectively. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was protected by an unchanged back three of Stefan Posch, Kevin Vogt and Ermin Bičakčić, while Pavel Kadeřábek and Stafylidis began in the wing-back berths. Sebastian Rudy and Dennis Geiger played alongside each other in the heart of midfield, with the attacking trio of Baumgartner, Ihlas Bebou and Robert Skov completing the starting XI.

Schreuder made his first change shortly after going 2-1 up, with Ishak Belfodil replacing Baumgartner (62). A second substitution followed seven minutes later as Skov made way for Florian Grillitsch (69).

Moment of the match:

The winning goal: the match looked set to ended in a draw after Osako had equalised with eight minutes remaining, but a Kadeřábek header in the 87th minute sparked wild celebrations among the home faithful.

Number of the game: 1

Alfred Schreuder's home debut as the Hoffenheim head coach ended in a first victory of the season for the Kraichgau club. Additionally, Ihlas Bebou scored his first Bundesliga goal for TSG.

TSG Hoffenheim line-up: Baumann – Posch, Vogt, Bičakčić – Kadeřábek, Rudy, Geiger (Bittencourt, 89), Stafylidis – Skov (Grillitsch, 69), Bebou, Baumgartner (Belfodil, 62)

Werder Bremen line-up: Pavlenka – Gebre Selassie, Toprak (Möhwald, 17), Moisander, Friedl – Sahin (Pizarro, 89), M. Eggestein, Klassen – J. Eggestein, Füllkrug, Osako (Harnik, 86)

Goals: 0-1 Füllkrug (42), 1-1 Bičakčić (54), 2-1 Bebou (59), 2-2 Osako (82), 3-2 Kadeřábek (87)

Match highlights

32. Min.

Brilliant ball from Bebou into the box. Baumgartner tees himself up with a flick and turns towards the opposition goal, but he loses control of the ball and Eggestein manages to clear it at the last moment. Big chance for TSG there.

42. Min.

Bremen take the lead when Füllkrug wins the aerial battle in the box following a corner-kick and heads home Sahin’s cross.

54. Min.

Geiger fizzes a corner in towards the back post and Bicakcic rises the highest before heading the ball perfectly into the far corner.

56. Min.

Bremen try to strike back immediately at the other end, but Maximilian Eggestein’s effort from long range is kept out by a strong save from Baumann.

59. Min.

Hoffenheim successfully switch the play at speed and Stafylidis crosses into the box. Although Bremen initially manage to clear the danger, the loose ball finds its way to Bebou, who keeps his cool and dispatches from close range.

71. Min.

Klaassen has a pop at goal from the edge of the box and although Baumann makes a strong save, the loose ball falls to Füllkrug, who fires into the back of the net to make it 2-2. But the goal is reviewed by VAR due to an alleged handball in the build-up and is eventually disallowed.

82. Min.

Vogt misplaces a pass at the back and Klaassen plays a through-ball into Osako, who outmanoeuvres an opponent and then fires home the equaliser.

87. Min.

Another corner brings about another goal, with a Geiger cross into the middle headed into the far corner of the net by Kadeřábek.