With the late equaliser to 1-1 against Gladbach by Kevin Akpoguma, Hoffenheim also underpins its mental stability.
There were phases under coach Sebastian Hoeneß when a game like this would have completely upset TSG. Despite the best opportunities, Hoffenheim failed to take the lead against Gladbach on Saturday and instead suddenly found themselves behind after 35 minutes. But the Kraichgauers have shed their former vulnerability and are now in a position to strike back at any time in their strengthened version.The two most recent games serve as prime examples.
In Leverkusen, TSG were already 2-0 down before the substitute Angelo Stiller (80th) and Munas Dabbur (83rd) scored late goals to equalise. On Saturday, Hoffenheim again fought with might against the threat of defeat, did not lose the thread, even increased the pressure and was rewarded in injury time with the 1-1. Again with players from the bench as protagonists. Substitute Ihlas Bebou had headed a long cross back into the centre, where Kevin Akpoguma, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes, scored the long-overdue equaliser.
Gladbach were glad when the whistle blew.
“The ball just didn’t want to go into the goal, but we always believed in ourselves and were rewarded,” said Bebou and David Raum also recognises a new quality in this team: “In the end we were absolutely pressing, Gladbach were happy when the whistle blew and just wanted to hurry into the dressing room,” said Hoffenheim’s international. “It’s a shame, if the game had gone on a bit longer, we might still win it. It was bitter that we fell behind, but then we showed ourselves well, brought in fresh wind and came back. That is our strength.”
That is also documented by these figures. Of the total of 28 points in this first half of the season, Hoffenheim have scored 12 after falling behind (3 wins, 3 draws). Especially in the final phase, the qualitative breadth of the squad and TSG’s staying power became noticeable. A dozen of the 35 goals scored in this half-season came after the 75th minute. In Freiburg the other day, Chris Richards scored the winning goal to make it 2-1 in injury time, now Akpoguma struck.
Rosen sees next step in development
According to the manager, the next step in development: “We are more stable, more consistent, clearer,” Alexander Rosen states, “when we are behind, we can always set an offensive action that leads to a goal.” The bottom line is the third-best Hinserie in terms of points and goals in Hoffenheim’s time in the first division. “In the new year, we have to keep working and put in another round like that,” demands goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Then there is a lot to be said for a fourth Hoffenheim European Cup participation.
