SC Freiburg wins the Bundesliga opener at TSG Hoffenheim and benefits from a strong final spurt in the first half.
Hoffenheim’s new signing Attila Szalai with an own goal (39th minute) and Roland Sallai (45th + 3) ensured the half-time lead in the 2-1 (2-0) victory of the Breisgauer. Ozan Kabak shortened for TSG (50th).
The game in the Sinsheim Arena got off to a great start. In the 5th minute, the TSG fans cheered the supposed lead, but Andrej Kramaric was offside in front of his dust-kick. On the other side, TSG keeper Oliver Baumann showed himself to be on the right track and blocked Michael Gregoritsch’s powerful shot from a good 20 meters to the corner (6′).
“Double own goal” by TSG Hoffenheim
Both teams continued to play offensively, with slight advantages for TSG. So the Kraichgauer had the next chance. Kramaric put the ball on for Grischa Prömel, but Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu safely parried his shot from a tight angle (14′).
The teams then neutralized each other and it seemed like a goalless draw at the break. But then SC captain Christian Günter sent a sharp cross from the left, and TSG defender John Anthony Brooks deflected the ball right at the foot of new signing Attila Szalai, who steered the ball into his own goal – 1-0 for the sports club in the 39th minute.
The deficit had an effect on TSG, it was the start of a furious final phase of the first half. First of all, keeper Baumann saved against Lukas Kübler in dire need, then Gregoritsch headed wide (45+1). Shortly thereafter, the SC celebrated again: Roland Sallai and Merlin Röhl combined into the penalty area, Gregoritsch’s shot was blocked, but Sallai was there and dusted off (45 + 3).
Kabak brings TSG back into play
After the change, Hoffenheim’s Ozan Kabak came into focus. First, the 23-year-old saved against Gregoritsch when goalkeeper Baumann was already beaten (48′). Two minutes later, the central defender scored from a cross from the left with a powerful left-footed shot.
Shortly thereafter, Gregoritsch could have provided a prompt answer, but the attacker moved up again in the penalty area instead of trying to finish free (52′). Team colleague Philipp Lienhart missed the 3:1 (56th) after a free kick on the second post.
The game remained intense and entertaining. Hoffenheim tried to build up pressure, SC had a great chance to score a third goal. But Vincenzo Grifo’s shot only hit the right post (60′).
Joker Beier is blocked at the last moment
As a result, the encounter calmed down. Both teams had to pay some tribute to the pace in high temperatures. Freiburg managed quite well to keep Hoffenheim away from their own penalty area.
In the 85th minute, TSG tried to equalize, but Maximilian Beier, who had just come on as a substitute, was blocked by Matthias Ginter at the last moment. In added time, Ritsu Doan missed the decision, the Japanese failed at Baumann and the post (90 + 1).
Christian Streich was very happy with his team after the final whistle. “The way they were there, how they fought against a good Hoffenheim team, that’s really very gratifying,” Freiburg’s coach said in an ARD interview.
Pellegrino Matarazzo struggled with the performance before the break. “Of course the mood is subdued. We lost unnecessarily,” said the TSG coach about the defensive weaknesses shortly before the change.
Freiburg expects Bremen – Hoffenheim to be promoted
The Sc freiburg welcomes SV Werder Bremen next Saturday (08/26/2023, 3:30 p.m.). The TSG Hoffenheim occurs at the same time at 1. FC Heidenheim.