Borussia end 2021 with a point at Hoffenheim

The first half of the Bundesliga season for Borussia Mönchengladbach came to an end with a 1-1 draw away to TSG Hoffenheim after the hosts equalised in stoppage time.

750 spectators were at the PreZero-Arena in Sinsheim for what was a hard-fought matchday 17 encounter. The hosts were stronger early in the first 45 and created some decent openings, but Yann Sommer kept TSG out. Borussia improved as the half progressed and Breel Embolo’s tap-in following a corner kick put the Foals 1-0 ahead at the break. Hoffenheim set about their hunt for an equaliser in the second half and while some more strong saves from Sommer had the Foals on the brink of three points, a late equaliser from Kevin Akpoguma meant that the spoils were shared to end 2021.

TEAM NEWS

Adi Hütter made five changes to the side that was beaten by Frankfurt during the week, with Stefan Lainer, Christoph Kramer, Patrick Herrmann, Lars Stindl and Marcus Thuram starting ahead of Luca Netz, Manu Koné, László Bénes, Florian Neuhaus and Alassane Plea. Yann Sommer was in goal, this time protected by a back-four of Lainer, Matthias Ginter, Ramy Bensebaini and Joe Scally. Kramer paired up with Denis Zakaria in holding midfield, while Herrmann, Stindl and Thuram lined up behind the lone striker Breel Embolo.

The Foals were without Manu Koné due to suspension and Nico Elvedi due to a stomach bug, while Jonas Hofmann (knee), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Tony Jantschke (match fitness following facial fracture) and Mamadou Doucouré (rehab following Achilles’ tear) remained sidelined through injury.

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

4’: The first chance of the game falls to Hoffenheim’s Kaderabek, who fires a first-time effort from the edge of the box a few yards over.

12’: Posch puts Rutter in behind, but he is kept out one-on-one by a brilliant save from Sommer.

20’: Vogt plays the ball out wide to the overlapping Kaderabek whose delivery into the middle is directed off target by Rutter.

22’: A first attacking threat from the Foals. Thuram’s through ball is perfect for Stindl, but he can’t get enough power behind his shot to trouble Baumann.

23’: A header down from Kramaric gives Kaderabek the opportunity to try his luck from a tight angle. Sommer stands his ground and parries away.

28’: Another Hoffenheim chance down the right-hand side forces another Sommer save, this time from Raum.

29’: Borussia counter, but Stindl doesn’t have many options and goes for a long-range curler towards the bottom corner that Baumann pushes behind.

31’: Herrmann gets into the box on the right-hand side and decides to shoot from the angle, only to drag his effort wide of the far post.

34’: Embolo holds off Posch from a ball over the top but can’t beat Baumann one-on-one. Thuram’s rebound is also blocked behind.

35’: The opener for Borussia! Herrmann’s corner kick is flicked on by Dabbur and Embolo is left all alone to tap the ball in at the far post. 1-0 to Gladbach.

43’: A hectic scene in the box eventually sees the ball pop out for Embolo, but he has to react quickly and can’t keep his effort down.

SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

55’: Bensebaini has a go on his right from outside the box. It’s a straightforward save for Baumann.

65’: A corner is met by Rutter and his header is destined for the back of the net, but Sommer is able to tip the ball around the post at full stretch.

71’: Kramaric’s header from close range hits the crossbar, but the flag had gone up for offside anyway.

85’: Another TSG chance from a corner with Rutter getting a shot away that Sommer is able to keep out.

90+1’: A late equaliser. A cross from Vogt is headed down by Bebou and Akpoguma leaves Sommer with no chance from six yards. 1-1.

MATCH FACTS

Hoffenheim: Baumann – Posch, Grillitsch, Vogt – Kaderabek (86’ Akpoguma), Geiger, Stiller (62’ Baumgartner), Raum, Rutter, Kramaric – Dabbur (46’ Bebou)

Borussia: Sommer – Lainer, Ginter, Bensebaini, Scally – Kramer, Zakaria – Herrmann, Stindl, Thuram (73’ Netz) – Embolo (88’ Plea) / Unused subs: Sippel, Bénes, Wolf, Neuhaus, Noß, Müsel, Bennetts

Goals: 0-1 Embolo (35’), 1-1 Akpoguma (90+1’)

Attendance: 750

Yellow cards: Kaderabek – Bensebaini, Lainer

Referee: Sven Jablonski (Bremen)

Christoph Kramer was one of five new players in the starting XI
Yann Sommer made a number of top saves, but was helpless for TSG's late equaliser
Breel Embolo celebrates after putting Borussia ahead in the first half

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