TSG 1899 Hoffenheim thwarted VfL Wolfsburg’s dream start. After the two opening victories in the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg lost in Sinsheim.
Hoffenheim turned the match to the final score of 3: 1 (1: 1) through goals from John Anthony Brooks (45th + 2 minutes), Maximilian Beier (60th) and Robert Skov (74th). Wolfsburg took the lead in the first half through Tiago Tomas (36′).
Wolfsburg coach Nico Kovac pondered the reasons for the defeat after the game: “At the unfortunate point in time we conceded 1-1. In the second half we carelessly gave up the game.”
“After a bumpy start and conceding a goal, we recovered well”, said Hoffenheim coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The TSG coach was particularly satisfied with his team’s defensive behaviour. “It’s always about a certain compactness, everyone has their role, so that everything works.”
TSG Hoffenheim very passive at the beginning
The only 17,500 spectators in the Sinsheimer Arena saw strong Wolfsburg at the beginning. Captain Maximilian Arnold already had the lead in the sixth minute, but was denied by TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
As a result, the passive Hoffenheim team, who had to do without Pavel Kaderabek, Dennis Geiger, Marco John, Kevin Akpoguma and Ozan Kabak, were largely forced onto the defensive. Only in the middle of the first half did the hosts come up stronger. Scoring chances remained scarce on both sides.
Wolfsburg takes the lead
Scorer Jonas Wind, who had scored all four Wolfsburg goals in the first two league games, was virtually invisible to the guests. That changed in the 36th minute when the Dane did the preparatory work for Tomas’ goal. The Portuguese benefited from the deep sleep of Hoffenheim’s defense around Brooks with his first league goal for VfL.
The TSG defense chief made up for his mistake in injury time in the first half. Brooks completed a strong combination over several stations after preliminary work from ex-Schalke player Marius Bülter from close range.
An open game after the break
At the beginning of the second half the game was completely open. Both teams had their sights set on the second goal, Hoffenheim’s Florian Grillitsch was close – but only hit the post (55′).
Beier did better shortly afterwards after assisting Skov, who had been substituted seconds earlier. Shortly thereafter, both Sarr and Berisha came into play. Skov’s substitution paid off in particular. The Dane scored fantastically after preparatory work by Andrej Kramaric.
Hoffenheim in Cologne, Wolfsburg receives Union
TSG meets 1. FC Köln in an away game on Matchday 4 (Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). At the same time, Wolfsburg meet Union Berlin.