TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and their controversial coach Pellegrino Matarazzo also missed out on a sense of success in the Europa League. The Bundesliga 16th On the fourth matchday against Olympique Lyon, after a turbulent stoppage time, the score was only 2-2 (0-0).
Of all people, the Frenchman Valentin Gendrey took the lead (47th minute) against the seven-time French football champions in front of only 18,227 spectators in Sinsheim. But Abner Vinicus equalized (66th). Alexandre Lacazette (90+3) scored again for Lyon, Umut Tohumcu (90+5) scored very late for the final score.
The Kraichgauer team can only boast one win and two draws. Matarazzo had made three changes to his team compared to the 2-0 defeat against FC St. Pauli, including moving U17 world champion Max Moerstedt into the starting line-up. New impetus was desperately needed, especially in attack. TSG recently remained goalless in three of four games across all competitions.
At Lyon, former Bundesliga professionals Moussa Niakhaté (formerly Mainz 05) and Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich) as well as a few regular players only sat on the bench. In 2018, both teams faced each other in the group stage of the Champions League – and drew 3:3 and 2:2.
Header from Mikautadze as a pick-me-up for TSG
Georges Mikautadze, one of Georgia’s European Championship heroes, startled the Hoffenheim team after nine minutes when, standing completely free, he headed into the arms of national goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. With a direct shot from 14 meters, defense chief Anton Stach then missed a chance for the home team.
They showed more initiative, especially through veteran Andrej Kramaric and the young Tom Bischof and Umut Tohumcu. During a counterattack, Moerstedt was denied by Rémy Descamps after a pass from Kramaric. Shortly before the break, the Olympique goalkeeper shone with a Kramaric shot.
Strong bishop prepares goal
In the second half, Hoffenheim initially showed more determination going forward and picked up the pace against the sixth-place team in Ligue 1. Gendrey used a cross pass from Bischof to take the lead. Shortly afterwards, Moerstedt had the chance to make it 2-0, but the ball went past the post.
Lyon coach Pierre Sage tried to turn things around with a quadruple substitution. The previously harmless guests increased the pressure. To equalize, Vinicius used a rebound in the penalty area. Alexandre Lacazette completed the supposed turnaround in stoppage time, but Tohumcu had the final answer.
A TSG success would have strengthened Matarazzo’s position, but now the 46-year-old is under a lot of pressure again before Sunday’s league game at FC Augsburg.
Source: www.sport.de
