Bitter defeat in Wolfsburg

TSG Hoffenheim lost 2-1 (1-0) away to VfL Wolfsburg. Pellegrino Matarazzo's team produced a good performance in the first half but failed to convert their superiority into goals. Instead, Wolfsburg took the lead with their first chance when Jakub Kaminski headed home in the 15th minute. TSG did not force the issue enough in the second period and fell 2-0 behind to Luca Waldschmidt's goal on the 75-minute mark. The deficit was halved in stoppage time when Joshua Guilavogui turned the ball into his own net, but it was too little too late.

The line-up

Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo initially made one change to the starting XI that won 3-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt last time out, with Kevin Akpoguma replacing the suspended Stanley Nsoki. Dennis Geiger then withdrew at late notice due to back problems and was replaced by Sebastian Rudy.

The scenario

TSG Hoffenheim went into the game in 14th position, with a four-point cushion over the relegation places. Seventh-placed Wolfsburg were still battling for a place in European competition.

Number of the game: 100

The 2-1 loss away to VfL Wolfsburg was Robert Skov's 100th competitive appearance in a TSG Hoffenheim shirt.

Moment of the match

The 57th minute: Munas Dabbur won the ball back off Maximilian Arnold and went clean through on goalkeeper Koen Casteels. The striker could have even squared it to Christoph Baumgartner but went for goal himself – and fired the ball over the crossbar. That should've been the equaliser.

Thunderstrike off the woodwork

Andrej Kramarić almost got Hoffenheim off to a dream start in the seventh minute. The Croat cut into the middle from the right flank and shot left-footed from a good 25 metres out. It looked like Koen Casteels touched it with his fingertips and the ball struck the crossbar.

Outlook

TSG Hoffenheim will welcome Union Berlin to Sinsheim for the final home game of the season next Saturday. Kick-off is at 15:30 CET.

Stats

Line-ups

VfL Wolfsburg: Casteels – Bornauw, Guilavogui, Van de Ven – Baku (Fischer, 90), Arnold, Kaminski (Cozza, 90) – Nmecha, Svanberg (Gerhardt, 61) – Wimmer (Waldschmidt, 70), Wind (Marmoush, 61)

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Ozan Kabak, Brooks, Akpgouma – Bebou (Bischof, 85), Rudy, Angeliño (Dolberg, 73) – Kramarić, Prömel (Becker, 85) – Baumgartner, Dabbur (Skov, 62)

Goals: 1-0 Kaminski (15), 2-0 Waldschmidt (75), 2-1 Guilavogui (own goal, 90+3)