New coach, same result – TSG Hoffenheim has not won the eleventh game in a row in the Bundesliga. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s debut saw a clear 1:3 (0:1) defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.
For Pellegrino Matarazzo, the first few minutes of his debut could hardly have gone worse. Leverkusen put Hoffenheim under pressure from the first minute and quickly defeated the opponent’s overstrained defence. Robert Andrich used an assist from Florian Wirtz with a flick from 18 meters to make it 1-0 (6th).
Frimpong misses several top chances
Hoffenheim had not won ten games in a row under Matarazzo predecessor Andre Breitenreiter, even losing eight of them – and TSG was lucky that the ninth defeat in eleven games was not sealed early on. Jeremie Frimpong alone missed a number of great chances, including a head on the goal net in the 24th minute, two minutes later he failed in a one-on-one situation by Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
After 30 minutes, the hosts managed to keep the game against the Werkself even and got back into the game with tackles. However, nothing happened in front of the opponent’s goal, instead Adam Hlozek missed the next opportunity for Leverkusen’s second goal in added time in the first half.
Hoffenheim overwhelmed with the fast Leverkuseners
If the slight improvement shortly before the end of the first half gave Matarazzo and Co. hope for improvement, it was gone very quickly. The ball landed over Wirtz and Frimpong at Moussa Diaby, who was allowed to push the ball into the empty goal after less than a minute to make it 2-0, which was long overdue.
And the next blow to the neck for Hoffenheim followed shortly afterwards. Again the defense couldn’t stop the fast Frimpong and this time Hlozek converted his cross (56′). The early decision in the game and the next bitter disappointment for TSG – and no trace of an effect of the change of coach.
Only then did Hoffenheim flare up a little, but they also benefited from the less intensive action of the Leverkusen team. Nevertheless, there was at least a sense of achievement, Stanley N’Soki scored to 1: 3 (77th). But it wasn’t enough for more.
Leverkusen initially in the Europa League
Leverkusen will continue in the intermediate round of the Europa League against AS Monaco (Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 9:00 p.m.). One day later (8.30 p.m.), Hoffenheim opened the 21st matchday in the Bundesliga with an away game against FC Augsburg. Bayer 04 welcome 1. FSV Mainz 05 two days later (7.30 p.m.).