Three points at Easter as TSG beat Schalke

A very important win in the relegation battle: TSG Hoffenheim have beaten FC Schalke 04 2-0 (1-0). TSG took the lead in the first half via a wonderful attack by Christoph Baumgartner and Angeliño which ultimately saw Alex Kral turn the ball into his own net (22). However, Hoffenheim spurned further chances and Schalke stayed in the game. In a hectic second period, Ihlas Bebou doubled the lead to 2-0 from the spot to secure a third win in a row.

Line-up

Never change a winning team: true to this motto, head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo named the same starting XI that won 2-1 in Bremen.

The scenario

FC Schalke 04 were bottom of the table ahead of their trip to TSG Hoffenheim, who occupied 15th place. Four points separated the two clubs prior to kick-off.

Number of the game: 420

By playing against FC Schalke 04, Oliver Baumann has become one of the Bundesliga's top 50 all-time appearance-makers. The TSG Hoffenheim goalkeeper has already made 420 appearances in Germany's top flight. The Schalke game carried the 32-year-old above the likes of Bundesliga legend Berti Vogts and he could yet surpass Franz Beckenbauer before the season is over (424). Baumann has made 289 of those appearances in a TSG shirt.

Moment of the match

The goal for 2-0: a challenge from Maya Yoshida brought down Christoph Baumgartner in the penalty area, prompting the award of a spot-kick for TSG. Ihlas Bebou stepped up and initially failed to beat Ralf Fährmann, but the Schalke goalkeeper moved off his line too early and the spot-kick was re-taken. This time Bebou shot to the left and made it 2-0 to TSG (70).

Sprint of the night

TSG lost the ball on the edge of the opposition box following a corner in the 33rd minute and Schalke had a good opportunity to counter. But striker Ihlas Bebou sprinted all the way back and cleared from Rodrigo Zalazar. The spectators and his team-mates celebrated the tackle with applause.

Outlook

The record champions await TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday. Pellegrino Matarazzo's team will be away to FC Bayern Munich at 15:30 CET.

Stats

Line-ups

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Vogt (Ozan Kabak, 46), Brooks, Akpoguma – Kadeřábek, Geiger (Rudy, 64), Angeliño – Kramarić (Bischof, 64), Becker (Stiller, 90+3) – Baumgartner – Bebou (Tohumcu, 78)

FC Schalke 04: Fährmann – Brunner, Yoshida, Matriciani, Ouwejan (Aydin, 36) – Krauß (Latza, 71), Kral – Zalazar (Drexler, 79) – Skarke (Topp, 76), Frey (Terodde, 71), Bülter

Goals: 1-0 Kral (own goal, 22), 2-0 Bebou (pen., 70)