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Baumgartner earns TSG a point away to Schalke
Personnel & tactics:
Having made his comeback from the bench against Bayern Munich last time out, Andrej Kramarić returned to the Hoffenheim starting XI for the match away to FC Schalke 04. The Croatian forward was one of three players – the others being Kevin Akpoguma and Pavel Kaderabek – reintroduced by head coach Alfred Schreuder.
Akpoguma played alongside Håvard Nordtveit and Benjamin Hübner in a back three in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Kadeřábek and Skov started in the full-back berths, while Sebastian Rudy shifted from the right flank into the centre and played alongside Florian Grillitsch and Diadie Samassékou at the heart of midfield. The strike partnership, meanwhile, consisted of Ihlas Bebou and Kramarić.
Schreuder opted to make his first personnel change on the hour mark, introducing Christoph Baumgartner for Nordtveit. TSG subsequently switched to a back four and Baumgartner slotted into midfield. Stefan Posch replaced Kadeřábek at right-back in the 79th minute, while midfielder Dennis Geiger was handed his comeback in the 85th minute of the match in place of Rudy.
Moment of the match:
The equaliser! TSG first thought they had levelled the score at 1-1 through Benjamin Hübner, but the video assistant referee intervened and ruled the goal out for offside. Substitute Christoph Baumgartner netted again only two minutes later – and this time the goal was allowed to stand.
Number of the game: 4
It was the fourth time this term Christoph Baumgartner has scored. All his goals have come since Matchday 16.
Line-ups:
FC Schalke 04: Schubert – Becker, Todibo, Nastasic – Kenny (Thiaw, 90), McKennie, Oczipka, - Matondo (Kutucu, 82), Schöpf – Raman (Harit, 76), Burgstaller
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Nordtveit (Baumgartner, 60), Akpoguma, Hübner – Kadeřábek (Posch, 79), Rudy (Geiger, 85), Grillitsch, Samassékou, Skov – Bebou, Kramarić
Goals: 1-0 McKennie (20), 1-1 Baumgartner (69)
Match highlights
Schalke have a massive chance to take the lead out of the blue. Kenny receives a perfect through-ball in the box and has only Baumann to beat. He could have squared for Burgstaller to tap into an empty net but instead opts to shoot himself. Baumann stays on his feet and makes a strong save.
That's too easy. McKennie dribbles into the penalty area from the right and has a go with his left foot. Baumann is wrong-footed and the ball trickles in.
First chance for Hoffenheim: Kaderabek crosses into the centre from the right and Bebou attempts a diving header, but unfortunately it hits the side-netting.
Matondo's effort is blocked, then he has another shot from inside the box that sails narrowly wide.
This time the goal counts! TSG have another set-piece and Baumgartner is perfectly placed to capitalise from close range when the ball bounces to him.
Match facts and statistics »
