Bundesliga: RB Leipzig concede a late equalizer at TSG Hoffenheim

Schlager injured early

RB Leipzig lost a win at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim when they were outnumbered and thus missed out on a possible jump to third place in the Bundesliga. The Saxons had to be content with a 1-1 (1-0) at the start of the 32nd matchday on Friday evening and remain fourth in the table with 63 points behind VfB Stuttgart (64). The Swabians will host second-placed Bayern Munich (69) on Saturday.

In front of 25,066 spectators, Benjamin Sesko gave the Champions League participants from Leipzig the lead in the 38th minute, which Andrej Kramaric (90th) equalized late on. At this point the guests were down to ten men after Xavi Simons (72′) was shown a yellow-red card for repeated foul play. Hoffenheim used the advantage to draw, but that might not be enough in the fight for an international starting place. With 40 points, the Kraichgauer remain in the middle of the table and have to hope for mistakes from their rivals.

TSG had to do without striker Wout Weghorst at short notice. The Dutchman was missing for family reasons, which coach Pellegrino Matarazzo described as “serious” on the “DAZN” microphone before kick-off. After less than 15 minutes, the guests also had to complain about a failure. Austria’s national player Xaver Schlager injured his knee without any opposition and limped off the pitch after a long break from treatment. His compatriot Nicolas Seiwald came for him.

Shortly afterwards, Leipzig had a great opportunity to take the lead. After an opening pass from Dani Olmo, Simons ran towards the Hoffenheim goal alone, but was denied by the brilliantly reacting TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. In a lively exchange of blows, the home team made their first offensive signal after 20 minutes. RB keeper Péter Gulácsi parried Andrej Kramaric’s shot. Fifteen minutes later, the Croatian was again denied by the Hungarian national goalkeeper from a tight angle. On the other side, the guests struck ice cold. David Raum crossed to Sesko, who beat Baumann with a header.

The first chance after the restart belonged to Hoffenheim. Kramaric suddenly appeared free in front of the RB goal, but again Gulácsi remained the winner in the duel with the TSG striker. The hosts now increased the pressure and hardly allowed Leipzig to develop. However, there were initially no further great opportunities. With 20 minutes to go, Leipzig’s Xavi had to leave the field with a yellow-red card after a foul on Anton Stach. TSG now threw everything forward and were actually rewarded with the equalizer through Kramaric shortly before the end of regular time.