Head coach Carles Martínez rotated the line-up after the 2-0 win in the UEFA Europa League at OFI Crete making six changes to his starting XI. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken, captain Edmond Tapsoba, Miguel Gutiérrez, Moussa Diaby, Ibrahim Maza and Nathan Tella came into the team, with Janis Blaswich, Lucas Vázquez, Loïc Badé, Jonas Hofmann, Malik Tillman and Afonso Moreira on the bench in Sinsheim.
As expected, Hoffenheim started aggressively, made a point of pressing high up the pitch and had their first two shots on goal through former Leverkusen player Adam Hlozek (2’/6’). However, it was the Werkself who created the first big chance: Patrik Schick laid the ball off to Nathan Tella, who struck a left-footed volley that missed the Hoffenheim goal by the narrowest of margins (7'). Shortly after that, Mark Flekken had little trouble saving an effort from Asllani (12').
With the rain now pouring down, Bayer 04 focused on controlling the game, but the passing often lacked the necessary precision. That was also true of a Schick shot, that flew well over the TSG goal (31’). The visitors were lucky when Hlozek hit the post after Leverkusen lost possession in transition (38'). Before half-time, the Black and Reds were forced to make the first substitution, with Malik Tillman coming on for Moussa Diaby, who picked up a thigh injury (42'). The teams went into the break goalless.
After the half-time break, the match continued under a new referee: with Daniel Siebert injured, the fourth official, Robert Hartmann, took charge of the match. Bayer 04 now enjoyed longer spells of possession and increasingly found their rhythm. Ibo Maza, in particular, who made frequent runs down the wing after the break, brought ideas and creativity to the game. The Werkself made three substitutions: Loïc Badé, Robert Andrich and Afonso Moreira came on for Quansah, Fernández and Tella (65').
Leverkusen controlled the game and looked for openings – only to be caught off guard: Following a challenge between Tapsoba and Asllani, VAR intervened and Robert Hartmann awarded a penalty; substitute Andrej Kramaric converted from the spot to give Hoffenheim the lead (79’). The Werkself had a great chance to equalise straight away, but Maza sent the ball over the bar following a headed cross from Tapsoba (80'). Andrich’s effort lacked power, and TSG keeper Baumann gathered it easily (83'). Jonas Hofmann came on for Facundo Medina (84'). Bayer 04 threw everything forward in a bid to equalise and conceded the second goal, scored by Alexander Prass (89'). Loïc Badé had just collided with Moerstedt and had to be carried off on a stretcher. Moerstedt then went on to score Hoffenheim’s third goal (90+5’).
Bayer 04 face another midweek fixture. On Wednesday 28 October, the Werkself will host FC Nürnberg at the BayArena in the second round of the DFB Pokal (kick-off: 20:45 CET). The Black and Reds then have a home match in the Bundesliga against VfB Stuttgart on Saturday 31 October at 15:30 CET.
Match stats
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Coufal, Kabak, Machida, Rots – Avdullahu, Burger (Conté 72’) – Prass, Daghim (Moerstedt 84’) – Asllani (Hranac 84’), Hlozek (Kramaric 65’)
Bayer 04: Flekken – Quansah (Badé 65’), Tapsoba, Medina (Hofmann 84’), Gutiérrez – Fernández (Andrich 65’), Garcia – Diaby (Tillman 42’), Maza, Tella (Moreira 65’) – Schick
Goals: 1–0 Kramaric (79’ pen.), 2–0 Prass (89’), 3–0 Moerstedt (90+5’)
Yellow cards: Prass, Avdullahu, Daghim – Fernández, Schick, Medina, Martínez (coach)
Red card: Prass (89')
Referee: Daniel Siebert
Attendance: 27,378 at the SNP Arena
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