20.02.2010

Points shared in Hoffenheim

Borussia took a two-goal lead in Sinsheim thanks to a Filip Daems penalty and a Roberto Colautti strike but had to settle for a point in the end.

Head coach Michael Frontzeck saw no reason to change an in-form Borussia side. Tobias Levels, who missed last week's win over Nürnberg due to suspension, did return to the starting eleven in place of stand-in Tony Jantschke, however. And with Thorben Marx still carrying an injury, Marcel Meeuwis again deputised for him in the holding position. Former Borussia defender Marvin Compper was handed the holding role for the home side, a position he had played in occasionally for Gladbach's under-23 side.

Both teams began briskly but the opening exchanges produced no genuine goalscoring opportunities. Per Nilsson provided the first minor threat with a header after six minutes, only for referee Wolfgang Stark to penalise the Hoffenheim defender for a foul on Logan Bailly in the Borussia goal. Vedad Ibisevic caused more alarm in the 11th minute, beating Filip Daems to a header that flew just wide of the right-hand upright. Raul Bobadilla then had the first attempt for Borussia with a long-range shot on the turn. His 25-metre effort posed no problems for Hoffenheim keeper Timo Hildebrand, however. Borussia had a lucky escape in the 23rd minute when Dante diverted an Ibisevic effort into the path of Carlos Eduardo, who rather carelessly allowed Bailly to make the save. Hoffenheim had had more of the game to this point.

Borussia take the lead with a penalty

The pendulum was soon to swing in Borussia's favour, however. Hoffenheim captain Per Nilsson denied Borussia a clear goalscoring opportunity with his arm on the half-hour, prompting the referee to point to the spot and show Nilsson the yellow card. Nilsson was fortunate not to see red, but unlucky in that the offence looked to have been committed outside the penalty area. Unlike previously Borussia did not let the chance go to waste this time. Skipper Filip Daems sent Hildebrand the wrong way with a low effort into the right-hand corner. In the 38th minute Michael Bradley had a fantastic chance to add a second after a mistake by Vorsah, but with Hildebrand rushing out of his goal he smashed the ball over the crossbar. Almost immediately Bailly had to pull out all the stops to prevent Ibisevic from notching the equaliser. Both defences were losing their battle against the front men, but the strikers were unable to take the opportunities on offer. Raul Bobadilla was the next to squander a chance after a thrown clearance by Hildebrand went badly wrong. That was the end of the goalmouth action, leaving Borussia to go in at the break somewhat fortunate to be in front.

Roberto Colautti adds another

Just after the restart Logan Bailly was at full stretch to stop a deflected effort from Christian Eichner. But before Hoffenheim could mount a serious threat in search of the equaliser Borussia added a second. Tobias Levels sent in a superb cross to Bobadilla, whose header, which would have gone in anyway, was helped over the line by Colautti, leading to loud appeals for offside by the Hoffenheim defence. It was certainly a close call but the goal was allowed to stand. Borussia now laid siege to Timo Hildebrand's goal and Juan Arango almost made it 3-0 on 56 following an attack he had launched himself. Hoffenheim looked stunned.

Yet with Borussia seemingly about to see the game out without any trouble, the home side managed to find their way back into the game on 69. Carlos Eduardo was allowed far too much time and space to slip the ball across goal to the unmarked Ibisevic, who had the simple task of knocking it into the net. With that it was clear that Hoffenheim, now with four strikers on the field, would go all out for an equaliser. And with the ball flying around the Borussia penalty box Dante was somewhat fortunate not to give away a penalty on 74 when the ball struck his arm. Space was now opening up for Borussia to counter, of course, and Bradley almost made it 3-1 in the 76th minute after skipping away from Compper. Hoffenheim were no longer finding a way through – but then came the 88th minute! After Filip Daems had handled the ball in the area Hoffenheim finally got their penalty. And Carlos Eduardo stepped up to give his side a later equaliser.In time added on Compper almost won it for the home side, but his header flew wide.

As in the reverse fixture Borussia failed to protect their lead to the end. This time, however, they at least came away with a point.

Hoffenheim: Hildebrand – Gulde (Tagoe 69'), Simunic, Nilsson (Vukcevic 46'), Eichner – Vorsah, Compper – Maicosuel, Carlos Eduardo – Ba, Ibisevic

Borussia: Bailly – Levels, Brouwers, Dante, Daems – Meeuwis, Bradley – Reus, Arango (Kleine 87') – Bobadilla (Matmour 72'), Colautti (Friend 84')

Goals: 0-1 Daems (pen. 31'), 0-2 Colautti (51'), 1-2 Ibisevic (69'), 2-2 Carlos Eduardo (pen. 89').

Yellow cards: Nilsson, Simunic, Ibisevic - Meeuwis

Attendance: 30,150 (sold out)

Referee: Wolfgang Stark