Only one point in the Baden duel: TSG Hoffenheim cannot free itself from its crisis even under new coach Christian Ilzer. After three competitive defeats in a row, the Kraichgauer team made up a deficit against SC Freiburg, but still only managed a 1-1 draw (0-0) at the end of the 13th matchday of the Bundesliga.
Young star Tom Bischof scored for Hoffenheim (73′), Matthias Ginter (68′) had put the SC in the lead. TSG, which like Freiburg failed in the cup round of 16 during the week, is only three points ahead of the relegation place. On Thursday, Hoffenheim have to face FCSB Bucharest in the Europa League. The Freiburg team missed the jump to fifth place and are seventh.
“The way the game went, the draw was okay,” said Ginter on “DAZN”: “We’re always missing a little something at the moment – but that’s complaining at a high level.” Bischof was of the opinion that “a second goal” for TSG “was possible”.
“Too much has happened recently that doesn’t fit at all and makes things difficult for us,” said Ilzer, who succeeded Pellegrino Matarazzo in mid-November, shortly before kick-off on “DAZN” with a view to the past defeats: “Ours The primary goal must be to get away from the relegation zone. Then we have to develop step by step.”
The 22,027 spectators in the Sinsheim Arena saw an initial phase without any real highlights. Only guest striker Michael Gregoritsch caused a hint of danger (3rd). Otherwise, hardly anything happened in front of the goals in the first quarter of an hour.
In the 18th minute it was Gregoritsch again who was unable to take advantage of a header chance. The Hoffenheim team, who had to make do without Ihlas Bebou, Marius Bülter, Florian Grillitsch, Ozan Kabak and Grischa Prömel, among others, had nothing to offer offensively in the first 20 minutes.
Hoffenheim was shockingly weak at the start
Even after almost half an hour, the hosts’ performance remained shockingly weak. However, the Freiburg team, who were missing Junior Adamu, who was suspended, adapted to their opponents. The game was a real bore at this stage.
That only changed in the 32nd minute, when Hoffenheim’s Jacob Bruun Larsen missed the best opportunity of the game up to that point with a header. Shortly before the break, SC goalkeeper Noah Atubolu had to parry a long-range shot from Valentin Gendrey (44th).
At the beginning of the second half, both teams increased the number of hits for a short time. Andrej Kramaric for Hoffenheim (49th) and Lucas Höler for Freiburg had good opportunities (51st).
After an hour, SC coach Julian Schuster brought in his veteran Vincenzo Grifo. Shortly afterwards, Bruun Larsen had the TSG lead, but was denied by Atubolu (66′). Just a little later, Grifo found the advanced Ginter with his free kick. The courted bishop was able to equalize. National goalkeeper Oliver Baumann saved late in the TSG goal against Eren Dinkci (90th).