TSG Hoffenheim II showed a courageous performance against TSV 1860 Munich, but had to admit defeat when they were outnumbered.
TSG Hoffenheim II will remain without a win in 2026. The Hoffenheim team lost 1:2 (1:1) against the favored Munich Lions, who still want to be involved in the promotion race for the 3rd league. David Philipp (2nd minute) and Sigurd Haugen (63rd) each gave Munich the lead. Florian Micheler had equalized in the meantime (25th). The Hoffenheim team held up well, but were outnumbered for almost the entire second half after Luca Erlein was sent off in the 50th minute.
1860 Munich takes Hoffenheim by surprise
The game couldn’t have started worse for TSG Hoffenheim. The guests from Munich took the lead in the second minute after Kevin Volland set up Tim Danhof with a through pass, who passed it to Philipp. Philipp pushed the ball into the goal and the surprised Hoffenheim team had to go straight from behind.
TSG’s answer before the break
But anyone who expected that the young Hoffenheim team would not recover from this was disappointed. The hosts created several good opportunities: Ben Opoku Labes was denied by Löwen keeper Thomas Dähne in the 12th minute when he was almost free in front of the goal. Nine minutes later, Florian Micheler had the chance to equalize with a shot from 18 meters, but couldn’t place the ball enough. He did better in the 25th minute when he was played precisely by Luca Erlein and deliberately pushed it into the bottom right corner in the penalty area. The score remained 1-1 until halftime.
Spectacular start to the second half
The second half started almost like the first: the Munich team came out of the locker room briskly and had an immediate chance to take the lead. Volland brilliantly passed the ball on to Haugen, who, standing unmarked in front of the goal, couldn’t get past Lukas Petersson with his shot. With a little effort, the Hoffenheimers were also able to clarify the follow-up actions.
In return, they took the lead themselves. After a successful combination over several stations, it was Labes who hit the post from close range. 1860 defender Raphael Schifferl had devoted himself to the shot and made a decisive deflection.
TSG defender Erlein sees red
The Lions were able to clear the following corner kick – and suddenly referee Jonah Besong showed TSG player Erlein the red card. Erlein and Philipp Maier clashed, the Munich player provoked, was then pushed by the Hoffenheim defender and fell theatrically. Besong interpreted this as assault, but was wrong. It was too hard a decision.
Haugen gets the Munich team on track
The Hoffenheim team didn’t let this get them down either, but they had to accept the next setback shortly afterwards. Volland once again found striker Hauge with a brilliant pass from midfield, who deliberately slotted it into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1. It was the last goal of the evening that sealed the Lions’ third win in a row.
