Hoffenheim and Lyon with a draw after a crazy final phase

TSG Hoffenheim welcomes a prominent guest on the fourth matchday of the UEFA Europa League: against Olympique Lyon, the Kraichgauer team had the chance to move past the French in the table and get within striking distance of direct qualification for the round of 16. Although TSG gave up a 1-0 lead, they will settle for a point after a crazy final phase.

Hoffenheim were slightly superior at first – fair distribution of points after a wild final few minutes

In the early stages, neither team was able to gain clear field advantages. Hoffenheim tended to be more dangerous in front of goal. Kramaric had the first chance to make it 1-0. The Croatian almost capitalized on a failed clearance by keeper Descamps, but Caleta-Car was able to defuse the situation (11th). Stach (14th) and Tohumcu (15th) then tried from a distance. In a promising counterattack situation, Kramaric could have run towards the Lyon keeper on his own, but was unable to properly control the ball. He got this to Moerstedt, but he finished too imprecisely (28th). Otherwise, the first half was repeatedly characterized by minor injury interruptions. Kramaric had the next chance to score again, whose shot from a half-right position defused Descamps (42′).

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After the restart, TSG promptly took the lead: Moerstedt fed Fischer, whose cross was passed by Gendrey and finished carefully (47′). Due to Hoffenheim’s increased chances in the first half, the lead was okay. Moerstedt could have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards, his right-footed shot just missed the left post (53′). And gradually Lyon grew stronger. With a powerful tackle against Mikautadze, Arthur Chaves thwarted their best chance in the second half (55′). Coach Pierre Sage tried to get new impetus into his offensive ranks with a quadruple change.

And the plan worked. Hoffenheim had little relief in this phase of the game, Lyon kept the ball in Kraichgauer’s half almost constantly. Lyon’s dominance then led to the equalizer. And two newcomers played a significant role in this. Lacazette put his foot down for Cherki. His shot was blocked and the ball fell at the feet of Abner Vinicius. The Brazilian shot into the near corner with his left which was unstoppable for Oliver Baumann (66′).

Now Matarazzo also responded with fresh offensive forces and brought on Tabakovic and Hlozek for Moerstedt and Bischof (75th). And now Hoffenheim were able to increase the number of hits again. Stach extended a cross from Bülter with his right. Descamps had to stretch to deflect the ball over the crossbar (75′). Immediately afterwards he was there again and parried Hlozek’s volley (76′).

A completely open final phase developed. First Grillitsch had good opportunities to take the lead with a long-range shot for TSG, then Cherki for Lyon (86th and 87th). Apparently the French actually managed the lucky punch. First Chaves was able to clear a deflected shot from Lacazette for a corner. This then landed again at his feet, the experienced goalscorer shot with his left from the turn and took the lead (90+3). Hoffenheim didn’t give up: With the last action of the game, Tohumcu secured the celebrated equalizer. Maitland-Niles clears a cross right at the feet of Tohumcu, whose low shot ends up in the net with a slight deflection (90+5).