TSG Hoffenheim
| 1-0 | Volland | (33. Min) |
| 2-1 | Volland | (77. Min) |
VfB Stuttgart
| 1-1 | Kliment | (64. Min) |
| 2-2 | Werner | (90. Min) |
Sebastian Rudy
Stats 
Hard-earned away point
VfB Stuttgart played out an entertaining 2-2 draw away to TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday afternoon. It was deep in the closing phase, when Timo Werner equalised, to earn the Cannstatt Boys a deserved share of spoils after they had twice gone behind. The first half produced few chances, with the hosts ultimately taking the lead from the penalty spot.
Alexander Zorniger’s side battled back and levelled the scores with substitute Jan Kliment’s first Bundesliga goal for VfB, before the hosts took the lead once again with a well-executed chip from Kevin Volland. In spite of the renewed set-back, the Cannstatt Boys refused to throw in the towel.
Personnel
Coach Alexander Zorniger was forced to make alterations to his starting eleven. With both Christian Gentner (Achilles problem) and Filip Kostic (muscle sinew tear) out of the reckoning, there was then a further change to be made at short notice, with Daniel Ginczek expected to be out for some time with a slipped-disc. On the day, Lukas Rupp, Martin Harnik and Alexandru Maxim where in from the outset. Hoffenheim started with the same eleven for the third game in succession.
Highlights
32nd minute: PENALTY: Hoffenheim’s captain Pirmin Schwegler looks to make contact with Toni Sunjic, in a challenge in the box and goes tumbling over the defender’s leg. Referee Deniz Aytekin awards the spot-kick.
33rd minute: GOAL for TSG: Kevin Volland leaves Przemyslaw Tyton, who had been impressive, without a chance and slots home the penalty to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
45+1 minute: At the end of a lacklustre first-half with few real chances on goal, VfB went into the half-time break trailing by 0-1.
Statement
Head coach Alexander Zorniger: "Considering the late equaliser, we can be quite satisfied with the point."
Post-match comments
64th minute: EQUALISER: Introduced just 61 seconds previously, substitute Jan Kliment headed home his first Bundesliga goal to put VfB back on level terms, as he rose to meet a Daniel Didavi corner.
68th minute: VfB want more and are really putting TSG under pressure. The home side’s keeper Oliver Baumann is becoming an ever more significant factor.
77th minute: GOAL for TSG: VfB go behind following a corner of their own. Baumann launces the ball forward to Vargas, who sends Volland on his way. Serey Dié gets a foot in to initially poke the ball away from the German international, but Volland reacts to chip the ball cleverly over the stranded Przemyslaw Tyton.
83rd minute: A shot by Daniel Didavi is blocked by Ermin Bicakcic, with a hint of an arm being involved. The referee is not impressed and waves for play to continue.
90th minute: EQUALISER: Arianit Ferati floats in a cross towards the TSG goal, where Timo Werner rises to head home.
90+2 minute: Just eight meters out from the goal, Timo Werner has the chance to snatch away the points at the death, fails to make a clean connection.
Summary
Due to the necessary personnel changes, VfB had initial problems getting started, generating less openings and shots on goal than had been the case in recent weeks over the ninety minutes. Two unnecessary lapses allowed the hosts to twice take the lead, but the VfB moral is intact and the Cannstatt Boys managed to twice battle back from behind to reward themselves with a well-deserved point. With the home side failing to punish VfB further in the first half and then Timo Werner missing out in late in the game, both teams can consider themselves satisfied with the point.
