TSG 1899 Hoffenheim – RasenBallsport Leipzig: Two Dani Olmo Goals Decide An Otherwise Balanced Game (0-2)

After a disappointing draw against Paderborn, Leipzig took a big win in their fight for a place in next year’s Champions League. A very interesting tactical encounter, this match resembled a roller coaster at times, with both teams having short periods of domination during the ninety minutes. In the end, two goals in two minutes by Dani Olmo proved to be enough for Leipzig.

Tactical analysis and match report by Thanos Chelas.

Hoffenheim played their first match in the post-Alfred Schreuder era, with caretaker manager Mathias Kaltenbach making three changes from last week’s disappointing draw against relegation contenders Fortuna Düsseldorf. Florian Grillitsch, Pavel Kadeřábek and Dennis Geiger came in to replace Håvard Nordtveit, the disqualified due to a red card Benjamin Hübner and Robert Skov. Hoffenheim played in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with a set of offensive wing-backs in Pavel Kadeřábek and Steven Zuber flanking a defense consisting of Ermin Bičakčić, Florian Grillitsch and Stefan Posch. Ahead of them sat Diadie Samassekou as the lone pivot, with Dennis Geiger with Sebastian Rudy in front of him, behind the striker duo of Moanes Dabour and Christoph Baumgartner.

On the other side, Jullian Nagelsmann also made three changes, with Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer and Marcel Halstenberg replacing Christopher Nkunku, Tyler Adams and Dayot Upamecano, who was unable to play due to a red card, respectively. 

They played in a very fluid 4-3-1-2 formation, with the two fullbacks Nordi Mukiele and Angeliño pushing aggressively up the pitch. The two center-backs were Lukas Klostermann and Marcel Halstenberg. Kevin Kampl was the pivot . . .