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TSG claim deserved draw in Wolfsburg
Personnel and tactics:
Head coach Alfred Schreuder made two changes to the starting XI that lost 3-0 to SC Freiburg last time out: Benjamin Hübner returned to the team in place of Ermin Bičakčić after recovering from an injury and lined up alongside Stefan Posch, Kevin Vogt and Robert Skov – who replaced Konstantinos Stafylidis at left-back – in a new-look back four in front of shot-stopper Oliver Baumann. The central midfield trio again consisted of Florian Grillitsch, who took over defensive duties, Sebastian Rudy and Dennis Geiger.
Pavel Kadeřábek and Ihlas Bebou began in the wing forward roles, with Ishak Belfodil the sole striker.
In the 70th minute, Sargis Adamyan came on in place of Belfodil to make his Bundesliga debut. Another substitution followed six minutes later as Christoph Baumgartner replaced Geiger in central midfield, with the third and final change seeing Posch make way for Kevin Akpoguma in the 89th minute.
Moment of the match:
The 88th minute: Sargis Adamyan won the ball back on the halfway line and broke forward. It was two against one but, rather than passing to team-mate Bebou, the Armenian went for goal himself and was denied by a strong Pervan save. It was a huge chance to win the game.
Number of the game: 200
Sebastian Rudy made his 200th Bundesliga appearance in a TSG Hoffenheim shirt in the 1-1 draw away to VfL Wolfsburg. The midfield man marked the occasion by netting his 12th league goal for the club.
Line-ups:
VfL Wolfsburg: Pervan – Knoche, Guilavogui, Tisserand – William (Mbabu, 79), Gerhardt, Arnold, Steffen – Mehmedi (Klaus, 86), Brekalo (Nmecha, 73) – Weghorst
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Posch (Akpoguma, 88), Vogt, Hübner, Skov – Rudy, Grillitsch, Geiger (Baumgartner, 76) – Kadeřábek, Bebou – Belfodil (Adamyan, 70)
Goals: 0-1 Rudy (6), 1-1 Mehmedi (36)
Match highlights
What a goal: Hübner plays a long pass out to the right flank, where Kadeřábek wins the aerial battle and nods the ball into Rudy's path. The midfield man shoots with the outside of his left boot and it goes in via the post.
Geiger plays a brilliant ball into the path of Bebou, who puts on the afterburners and bursts into the box. Pervan manages to save the forward's effort, however. It is the best chance of the match since the opening goal.
A nice move from Wolfsburg is rewarded with a goal. Weghorst flicks the ball to Mehmedi, whose left-footed effort from a tight angle flies into the net.
A Skov thunderbolt from 25 metres out strikes the underside of the crossbar and bounces down without crossing the line. No goal for TSG.
TSG make a strong start to the second period and create the first chance of the half when Skov crosses into the middle towards Belfodil, who tees up Kadeřábek for a header. Unfortunately, though, Pervan gets down quickly to make the save.
Adamyan and Bebou work the ball into the box with some excellent link-up play but, just as Baumgartner readies to shoot, Tisserand clears it behind for a corner. Pervan then makes a strong save to stop his countryman putting Hoffenheim ahead from the ensuing set-piece.
What a huge opportunity to take the lead: Adamyan pressures his opponent brilliantly, winning the ball, and the visitors break two on one. But rather than picking out Bebou, the Armenian goes it alone and has his shot saved by the excellent Pervan.
Match facts and statistics »
