As of: 08/22/2021 6:34 p.m.
In a strong exchange of blows, Hoffenheim missed the leap to the top of the Bundesliga table against Union Berlin in 1899.
1899 Hoffenheim and 1. FC Union Berlin split on Sunday (22.08.2021) on the second day of the Bundesliga 2: 2 (2: 1). Niko Gießelmann (10th minute) gave the “Iron” an early lead in front of around 8,000 spectators, Kevin Akpoguma (14th) and Jacob Bruun Larsen (30th) initially turned the game for TSG. Taiwo Awoniyi (47) equalized for the Berliners and made the final score.
Due to the draw, Hoffenheim missed the leap to the top of the table after their 4-0 win on matchday one at FC Augsburg. Union scored the second point of the season after the 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen, but has been waiting for a win across all seasons for seven away games.
Hoeneß: “A draw is okay”
Hoffenheim’s coach Sebastian Hoeneß said after the final whistle: “The draw is okay. We didn’t come in too badly in the first half. We showed a great reaction after conceding the goal. The 2-2 draw took some of our confidence.”
His colleague Urs Fischer said: “I am very satisfied with my team. They played a great game and deserved this point. Especially in the second half, I can’t say anything, we could even have won.”
Union aggressive
From the beginning a fast-paced and competitive game developed in Sinsheim. Hoffenheim tried to gain control of the game, Union held against it with high pressing and aggressiveness. Apparently the Berliners were still intoxicated from the 4-0 win during the week in the playoffs for the Conference League, their comeback on the European stage after 20 years.
Playing aggressively cheeky and freshly forward, the “Iron” took the lead. After a cross from Julian Ryerson Gießelmann came in the penalty area to the header, which TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann parried. The Berliner put the margin from six meters into the goal.
Kruse free kick to the crossbar
Just four minutes later, Hoffenheim equalized. Angelo Stiller shoveled the ball on the fiver, where Akpoguma headed unrestrictedly. Shortly thereafter, Union almost took the lead again: But a free kick from almost 30 meters from Max Kruse (17th) hit the crossbar.
After half an hour, TSG then took the lead. After a through pass from Andrej Kramaric, Bruun Larsen was on and off and brought the ball from 13 meters past the falling Union goalkeeper Andreas Luthe in the goal. It was Kramaric’s fourth assist of the season.
Awoniyi meets volley
But the Berliners were not confused by this. Immediately after the restart, Awoniyi chased a volley ball from seven meters into the mesh, Union was back again. As a result, both teams developed a few more chances. In the 63rd minute, the strong Kruse had the Berlin lead on the foot, but could not overcome Baumann. On the other side, Sebastian Rudy (67th) chased the ball far over the goal from 16 meters.
Yellow-red for Friedrich
At the end of the day, both teams lost their strength and constructive attacks became less frequent. The last upset was the yellow-red card for Berlin’s Marvin Friedrich (90 + 4) in stoppage time for repeated foul play. So it stayed with the bottom line fair draw after an intense and entertaining game.
Source: sportschau.de