TSG beaten by league-leaders Leverkusen after intense battle

TSG Hoffenheim put in a brave performance but ultimately failed to reap the rewards of a strong comeback as they went down 3-2 (2-0) to league leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The visitors took an early lead thanks to a close-range finish from Florian Wirtz (9). Shortly before the break, Alejandro Grimaldo doubled the Werkself's lead from a corner (45+1). TSG were fast out the blocks for the second half and soon drew level thanks to a wonderful goal from Anton Stach and a poacher's finish from Wout Weghorst (56 and 58). Hoffenheim then pressed for a winner, but Grimaldo struck again for Bayer 04 (70) to decide the outcome of an engrossing match.

Line-ups

Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made three changes to the starting XI from the 1-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal: Ozan Kabak, Robert Skov and Finn Ole Becker came into the line-up to replace John Anthony Brooks, Ihlas Bebou and Mergim Berisha.

The scenario

TSG came into Matchday 10 placed sixth in the table, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen were top of the standings with 25 points out of a possible 27, seven points ahead of TSG.

Moment of the match

Leverkusen's third goal. TSG pressed for the winner after coming back from two down, but Grimaldo found the back of the net to make it 3-2 and seize all three points for Bayer. 

Number of the game: 6

For the sixth time this season, TSG conceded a goal in the 15 minutes before half-time - only Bochum have conceded more goals in this period of a game (seven).

First goal of the game Best first goal

Anton Stach scored for the first time in a TSG Hoffenheim shirt - and what a way to do it. He successfully lobbed Lukas Hradecky from long range to pull TSG back to within a goal of the league leaders.

Outlook

TSG Hoffenheim will visit FC Augsburg next week. Kick-off on Saturday is scheduled for 15:30 CET.

Summary

Line-ups:

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Ozan Kabak, Vogt, Akpoguma (87, Conté) – Skov (78, Bebou), Stach, Bülter – Becker (78, Kramarić), Prömel – Weghorst, Beier (87, Berisha)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Hradecky – Kossounou (46, Stanisic), Tah, Tapsoba – Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo – Hofmann (80, Andrich), Boniface (88, Adli), Wirtz (90+1, Hlozek)

Goals: 0-1 Wirtz (9), 0-2 Grimaldo (45+1), 1-2 Stach (56), 2-2 Weghorst (58), 2-3 Grimaldo (70)