HSV fall to 4-1 defeat away to Hoffenheim

... before a late consolation 

Polzin reacted at the break, bringing on Philippe for Gocholeishvili. The Frenchman took up a birth on the left flank, with Balde switching to the right-hand side. The Rothosen emerged from the changing room with a newfound vigour, which nearly bore fruit on 49 minutes. Muheim unleashed a strike from a half-left position from range in the direction of the left side of the goal, which Baumann was required to tip over the bar. Vieira also tried his luck from distance after a lay-off from Vuskovic but sent his attempt high of the goal. HSV had become overall more active with and without the ball; however, as the hour mark approached, the hosts made their presence felt once again. Tim Lemperle headed the ball just over the crossbar following a cross from Andrej Kramaric. The TSG striker was more clinical though few minutes after that, finishing from the left-hand side of the six-yard box for 3-0.

With the result no longer in doubt, Elfadli entered the fray, with Meffert subbing out. First Prömel and then Balde at the other end let promising chances go begging before two TSG substitutes combined for the home team’s fourth. Fisnik Asllani won the ball high up the pitch and exchanged a one-two with Alexander Prass before rounding off the move from close range himself (72’). Although the Rothosen set up for damage limitation during the closing stages, they did net following a neatly strung-together counter-attack. Vieira played the ball into the path of Philippe, who kept his cool when one-on-one with Baumann to bag his fourth goal of the season and reduce the deficit to 4-1. The consolation goal gave Polzin’s side a boost, who could have added another in stoppage time from the penalty spot following a handball offence. However, it was not to be. Philippe slipped when stepping up to take the kick, striking well over the bar with a double-contact. Down the other end, Heuer Fernandes prevented Hlozek from making the final score a rather unfair 5-1.