FIRST TEAM
12/21/2014

Five-star TSG cruise to biggest ever Bundesliga win in Berlin

What a way to sign off 2014! Five goals, our largest ever win in the Bundesliga and most of all, a clean sheet away from home! TSG 1899 Hoffenheim were in sensational form as they dispatched Hertha BSC Berlin 5-0 at the Olympiastadion. A John Anthony Brooks own goal and two Sejad Salihovic penalties gave TSG a comfortable 3-0 half-time lead, before Sven Schipplock and Sebastian Rudy completed the rout in the second half.

Sejad Salihovic made just his first start since September after missing much of the current Bundesliga campaign so far due to injury. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international came in for Tarik Elyounoussi. Markus Gisdol placed his faith in Sven Schipplock to lead the Hoffenheim frontline, replacing Adam Szalai. Eugen Polanski also featured in the starting XI at the expense of Pirmin Schwegler, as TSG looked to bounce back from their midweek 1-0 defeat to Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

After little to choose between the teams in the opening 15 minutes, an inswinging Kevin Volland corner caused the first of many problems for Thomas Kraft as the Hertha keeper misjudged the cross. The ball broke to Kevin Volland, who twisted and turned inside of the Berlin box but his close-range shot was blocked on the line by Marcel N'Djeng. TSG then made their early pressure pay midway through the first half and Volland was at the focal point again. The Germany international left N'Djeng for dust down the left flank and surged to the by-line to drive a low cross into the six-yard box. Schipplock was waiting at the back post to pounce but under pressure, Brooks inadvertently put the ball into his own net to send the travelling Hoffenheim fans into raptures.

This was evidently not Brooks' day as just 112 seconds after the opener, the American was high and late on Schipplock in the Berlin box with referee Peter Seppel left with no choice but to point to the spot. Salihovic held his nerves as usual and side-footed the penalty straight down the middle to bag his first goal of the campaign and double TSG's advantage. Hoffenheim were clearly enjoying their football in the German capital and were presented with a chance to make it three five minutes before the break. Nico Schulz tripped Andreas Beck in the Berlin 18-yard-box and Seppel awarded Hoffenheim another penalty. It was Salihovic, who stepped up to take the spot-kick again, and the 30-year-old struck the ball firmly into the top-right corner, leaving Kraft rooted to the spot. Hertha tested the guests' defence just before the interval but the TSG back four were at their best to keep Berlin at bay with a chorus of boos echoing around the Olympiastadion on sounding of the half-time whistle.

Hoffenheim sat back after the break and might have considered themselves fortunate not to be pegged back in the 55th minute. Schulz crossed from the left into the path of Ben Hatira but the Berlin no.10 somehow fired wide from six yards out. Salihovic then tried his luck from distance, but the set-piece maestro, in pursuit of his hat-trick, saw his shot comfortably saved by Kraft. Hertha boss Jos Luhukay then made a double substitution that saw the introduction of forwards Salomon Kalou and Sandro Wagner. The hosts threw everything forward in search of a consolation goal but came undone at the back yet again with a classic Hoffenheim counterattack. Schipplock played the ball wide to Volland and fed the ball to Firmino, who had beaten the offside trap. The Brazilian had just Kraft to beat and rather unselfishly squared the ball to frontman Schipplock, who walked the ball into the empty net. It was the striker's first league goal since mid-March and TSG were showing no mercy.

Firmino then dispossessed Niemeyer just inside the Berlin penalty area and pulled the ball back from the by-line for substitute Sebastian Rudy and the Germany international made no mistake from a few yards out to complete the 5-0 victory. Markus Gisdol and his side couldn't have wished for a better Christmas present – their biggest ever win in the German top flight will ensure smiles all round during the festive period in Sinsheim. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are just a point adrift of sixth spot going into the winter break and can perhaps start dreaming of European football…

Oliver Trenchard

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