TSG earn hard-fought point in Leipzig

TSG Hoffenheim fought their way to a 0-0 draw with second-placed RB Leipzig on Bundesliga Matchday 28. Hoffenheim replicated their strong defensive performance from the goalless draw with Leverkusen on Monday against their title-chasing hosts from Saxony, and were ultimately rewarded with another point. There was a hearts-in-mouth moment for TSG in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but Yussuf Poulsen's goal was disallowed for handball.

Personnel & tactics:

Head coach Sebastian Hoeness made three changes to the team that had started the 0-0 draw with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Pavel Kadeřábek, Stefan Posch, Chris Richards and Ryan Sessegnon formed the back four in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Diadie Samassékou returned to the midfield after recovering from illness and played alongside Florian Grillitsch. Andrej Kramarić was also fit enough to be included in the starting XI. He played the central role in the attacking midfield trio, flanked by Robert Skov on the right and Christoph Baumgartner on the left, while lone frontman Georginio Rutter led the line.

Ihlas Bebou came on for Rutter at the interval. Shortly afterwards, Grillitsch picked up an injury and had to come off. The Austrian was replaced by Mijat Gaćinović (56). Sebastian Hoeness switched things up in the 62nd minute, bringing on Håvard Nordtveit for Skov. TSG were now playing with a back three. Sargis Adamyan then replaced Kramarić in stoppage time (90 +1).

Moment of the match:

The sixth minute of added time: the allocated stoppage time was already up when Yussuf Poulsen looked to have made it 1-0, but the Leipzig man had headed the ball into the net via his own arm and the goal was disallowed after consulting VAR.

Number of the game: 0

TSG have kept a clean sheet for the second time within a week, following up a 0-0 stalemate with Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Monday with another goalless draw away to RB Leipzig on Friday.

Line-ups:

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi – Konaté, Upamecano, Orban – Mukiele (Haidara, 46), Adams, Sabitzer, Angelino (Kampl, 46) – Olmo (Sörloth, 62), Nkunku – Forsberg (Poulsen, 73)

TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Kadeřábek, Posch, Richards, Sessegnon – Samassékou, Grillitsch (Gaćinović, 56) – Skov (Nordtveit, 62), Kramarić (Adamyan, 90+1), Baumgartner – Rutter (Bebou, 46)