TSG Hoffenheim
| 1-0 | Schipplock | (12. Min) |
| 2-0 | Volland | (49. Min) |
| 3-0 | Schipplock | (66. Min) |
| 4-1 | Firmino | (90.+2. Min) |
VfB Stuttgart
| 3-1 | Rüdiger | (78. Min) |
Moritz Leitner
Moritz Leitner
Stats 
Georg Niedermeier in action.
No joy in Hoffenheim
Only Antonio Rüdiger managed a goal for VfB in Hoffenheim on match day 21 of the season, whilst the hosts found the net on four occasions in the pouring rain. It was to prove yet another bitterly disappointing match day for VfB Stuttgart.
The VfB coach made a total of four changes to his starting eleven in comparison to last weekend, with Vedad Ibisevic (suspended), Alexandru Maxim, Konstantin Rausch and Gotoku Sakai being replaced by Ibrahima Traoré, Martin Harnik, Arthur Boka and Georg Niedermeier from the outset – the latter led the team out as captain, with team captain Christian Gentner and his deputy both unavailable.
The hosts put on the pressure right from the outset and with just ninety second played, Rani Kheidra was forced to clear a Fabian Johnson effort off the line with Sven Ulreich already beaten. In the fifth minute, the VfB keeper was forced to go full stretch to deny TSG captain Andreas Beck. The hosts were clearly in charge and duly took the lead through Sven Schipplock in the 12th minute.
VfB’s first opening of the half very nearly brought the equaliser. Timo Werner stole the ball from the toe of Niklas Süle in the Hoffenheim penalty area but was unable to finish accurately. As the half progressed, Thomas Schneider’s men began to settle and got the fans behind them, but unfortunately there were few chances created from the improved display. At the other end, Sejad Salihovic cracked a shot from 30 meters out against the foot of the post and thus, the game went into the break with the home side leading by 1-0.
Quote for the game
Thomas Schneider: "I am of course absolutely disappointed." Post match comments
The second half began disastrously for VfB, as Kevin Volland fired trainer Markus Gisdol’s side into a 2-0 lead (48’). The visitors pushed in search of a way back into the game and came agonizingly close when Moritz Leitner had an effort cleared off the line by Sejad Salihovic (3’). Instead of VfB cutting the deficit, the hosts then extended their lead to 3-0, as Sven Schipplock deftly chipped Ulreich.
There was a ray of hope for Schneider’s men in the 78th minute. From a corner, Antonio Rüdiger rose ahead of the Hoffenheim keeper to make it 1-3. Just a minute later though, the guests had their next setback to deal with. For a foul in midfield, Moritz Leitner picked up his second booking and VfB were reduced to ten men. Late on, referee Bastian Dankert awarded the home side a penalty for a foul by Niedermeier and Roberto Firmino stepped up to covert confidently and make the final score 1-4 from the VfB viewpoint.
