“Their style of play means that there will be a lot of challenges,” Julian Schuster said about TSG Hoffenheim ahead of SCF’s game in Sinsheim. SC’s head coach, who was absent from the touchline on Saturday afternoon due to a suspension and replaced by Lars Voßler, was proved right on matchday 22 of the Bundesliga season. In addition to a multitude of tackles, the 22,679 spectators at the PreZero Arena saw a lot of early opportunities for both sides. The first chance of the game fell to Maximilian Eggestein with not even a minute on the clock. Following a corner, the midfielder tried his luck on the volley from 15 yards out, but was ultimately denied by Oliver Baumann’s outstretched arm.

In the following passage of play, it would be the third-placed hosts who looked more threatening. Andrej Kramaric caught Noah Atubolu off-guard as he latched onto Fisnik Asllani’s clearance and lobbed the ball over Freiburg’s number one and into the back of the net from around 35 yards out (5’). Unfortunately for Kramaric, he was shown to be standing in an offside position in the build-up to the goal, meaning it was ultimately chalked off. After more promising scoring opportunities for TSG, Yuito Suzuki’s effort from the edge of the box went narrowly wide (16’).
 
The Freiburg coaching staff opted to make five changes to the side that edged past Hertha BSC in the DFB-Pokal during the week. Noah Atubolu replaced Florian Müller between the sticks, with Christian Günter and Bruno Ogbus slotting into the back four for Jordy Makengo and Max Rosenfelder. Right midfielder Cyriaque Irié made his first start for Freiburg, with Niklas Beste dropping to the bench. Igor Matanovic was also named as a substitute on Saturday, as Lucas Höler was preferred to lead the line.

Chances for both sides, as Hranac hits the post

After a fast start, the action in Sinsheim became concentrated in the middle of the park. Hoffenheim’s Wouter Burger had the best chance during this phase, as his shot from 15 yards whistled past the post (29’). Two minutes later, Derry Scherhant found space in a similar position, but didn’t trouble Bachmann with his low driven effort.

Even when the home side dominated possession, the game remained even in terms of chances. In the 43rd minute, SCF had the rub of the green once again. After Atubolu made a strong save to deny a header from close range, the ball fell to an onrushing Robin Hranac whose shot from a tight angle smashed against the underside of the bar. Since the ball didn’t cross the line and instead bounced off Maximilian Eggestein’s torso, the scoreline remained 0-0 going into half-time.

Quickfire TSG goals after the break

To the dismay of the travelling SCF fans, the hosts took the lead directly after the interval. Asllani connected with attacking full-back Vladimir Coufal’s cross and headed it past Atubolu to put Hoffenheim in front (46’). Things would get even worse for the visitors. Five minutes later, the ball was in the back of the Freiburg net again. Coufal was the provider for the second goal, too, this time with his delivery from a corner. Hoffenheim’s second goal was another header, which Atubolu was powerless to stop. On this occasion, Kabak was the goalscorer.

Despite another setback, with substitute Rosenfelder having to be taken off with an injury, Freiburg still showed a fighting spirit. Treu’s shot was a hair’s breadth away from reducing the deficit (65’). At the other end of the pitch, Atubolu kept the away side in the game with an important save to deny Asllani (66’). Eggestein’s effort from the six-yard box was deflected behind for a corner (72’).

Time was running out for SC, as Hoffenheim continued to press high up the pitch. The fans held their breath in the 82nd minute, as Anthony Jung’s volley missed the Hoffenheim goal by centimetres. The ball just wouldn’t go in for Freiburg, but TSG put the final nail in the coffin in added time through Valentin Gendrey. After succumbing to defeat on matchday 22, SC sit eighth in the table on 30 points. Next Sunday, Freiburg will host Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Europa-Park Stadion.

Photo: Achim Keller