As against Bochum, Hoffenheim’s national keeper was there in the decisive moments. TSG sees itself on the right track.
This save was almost more difficult and spectacular than a penalty save. Heidenheim’s striker was already in the six-yard box and was able to finish unchallenged, but Oliver Baumann still managed to reach the ball, which was fired in at close range, with his foot and direct it onto the crossbar. Once again, the 34-year-old had prevented what would have otherwise been a sure goal. This time, the national goalkeeper secured the first Hoffenheim clean sheet in a year and a half in the league and another important point.
In the previous league game, Baumann had parried a penalty kick shortly before the end and even held on to it, thus enabling the home win against Bochum (3-1). “There’s a clear upward trend, especially defensively and in building attacks,” said the TSG captain, analyzing the overall development. ”There have been times when we would have lost a game like this. To keep a clean sheet in Heidenheim is not easy, we did that. We fought together, and there’s been a development there too, which I like.”
It was the third league game in a row without defeat for the Kraichgauer, who had already achieved a draw in Stuttgart (1-1) before the Bochum win. Baumann also saved a penalty in added time there, but Demirovic then scored the rebound.
Matarazzo: “We are on the right track”
Baumann kept a clean sheet again in Heidenheim. “A game like that gives us courage and confirms our approach,” said Baumann, “On the other hand, we can see exactly what steps we still have to take to create more scoring chances, that’s possible and within our means.” Finally, Marius Bülter, Florian Grillitsch and, towards the end, substitute Mergim Berisha had good chances to score the lucky punch.
“It’s obvious that we’re making steps in all phases of the game,” summed up coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, who can see that he is on the right track. ‘Of course, there is always room for improvement, and we need to follow up on this game too, so we can learn, both offensively and defensively. But we’re on the right track, not only in terms of results but also in terms of performance.’
That should soon be reflected in the table. “Of course we want to attack,” Kevin Akpoguma assures us, “we’re not satisfied with where we are right now, we’ve dropped points in the first few games. Now we can beat any team or at least keep games like this one open.” In the two upcoming home games, on Wednesday in the cup against second division club 1. FC Nürnberg and next Saturday against promoted St. Pauli, the upward trend is to be accelerated.
