Compared that the eleven that began in the 2-0 win on the 'Betze', VfB began against 1899 unchanged. Bruno Labbadia’s men had the game against Hoffenheim within their control, allowed little through at the back and had the bulk of the possession, although up front, the home side had little to offer. Pavel Pogrebnyak, Cacau and Tamas Hajnal each had chances but couldn’t make effective use of them. At the other end, in the 21st minute, Ryan Babbel got a shot away to test Sven Ulreich, but the VfB keeper was equal to the effort and, at the end of a very average first half of football, the sides went in at the break locked at 0-0.

Okazaki breaks the deadlock

Seconds after the re-start, Cacau tested TSG keeper Thomas Starke, who had no problems dealing with the German international’s shot from distance. Shortly afterwards though, the Arena suddenly erupted in celebration. Hajnal fed a free-kick delivery through the channel to find Shinji Okazaki, who took on the pass with his left boot, before turning and slamming the ball into the far corner of the net to put VfB in front. At the other end, an attempted clearance by Serdar Tasci proved to test Ulreich, but the keeper kept his cool and held on to the unintentional shot. Following an effort from distance by Sigurdsson, which Ulreich again dealt with, the game began to peter out. Chances on goal were few and far between, but VfB were clearly in charge, and it took until the closing fifteen minutes before the tie picked up pace again. Initially Hoffenheim’s Dominik Kaiser and Vedad Ibisevic wasted chances from 18 meters out, but then Pavel Pogrebnyak made an impact.