Two balls hitting the woodwork in the last few minutes was tough to see, but the cohesiveness is getting better each half you can see. Especially when Bartels came on for Eggestein, Maxi was not getting much space. Johannsson was streaky, sometimes looking lost but showed that creativity several times. Lukimya also was on Kalou all day.
Much needed win and three points to jump start the season, versus an opponent we usually struggle against too. Nice gesture by Ujah and the team to have AJ take the penalty. Hope that gives him the boost of confidence to find his form. Our set-piece play is also improving, Juno is going to be deadly now he has those deliveries of target.
It looks like ArJo and Ujah are starting get in synch with each other. I like having both Garcia's on the field at the same time.
Agreed, both Garcia's balance each other out on the left flank nicely. Santi provides more defensive coverage and tenacity on tackles. Whereas, Ulisses has a higher ceiling for advancing forward and fluidity of passing but needs more time getting adjusted to playing defense against Bundesliga level opponents.
Oztunali scored with the U21 NT versus Denmark. That should get him on roll, had high hopes for him this season to reach his breakthrough A lineup spot might open up again after this international break, as Bargfrede is currently out and missed the friendly during the week. Junuzovic also scores for Austria, as they continue to hold the top spot of Group G in Euro qualification.
Werder breaks through just before the half for the 1-0 lead against Hoffenheim! Excellent build up leading to that goal. Nice skilled flick to set up Theo's sprint up the flank who then sends in a cross into the box. Ujah controls it smoothly after a deflection off Schar to Juno for the tidy finish. Well deserved lead at HT as we dominated the scoring opportunity in the opening frame. AJ and Luki with a couple close chances from set pieces earlier.
Vargas levels. Hoffenheim definitely ramping up their attack with those changes they made after the half. Sloppy defence on the counter, really should have closed off that play from the edge. While both centerbacks gave way too much space afterwards and unable track back in time. I expect a much more challenging second half.
Opa Fritz can still make those runs up the pitch, but damn those passes are poor. Good saves by Wieldwald to deny Schar and Volland.
Vestergaard has been sharp today breaking up multiple Hoffenheim attacks. Pizarro enters the match for the final 10 mins. Immediate impact he's made on consecutive chances. His header sets up Bartels perfectly but the ref called a late foul to rule out the goal.
TOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! Ujah clinches the victory, incredible sequence from Pizarro and Santi. Massive impact from Pizarro's presence on the game what a legend. Junuzovic 3-1!!!!!!!!! GG Hoppenheim
Junuzovic will have to miss today's match against newly promoted Ingolstadt due to a cold. Maxi Eggestein called up to the pros.
Smart save by Wiedwald to deny Ingolstadt's breakaway chance at the 17th min mark. AJ did well on the hold up play but Bargfrede spoils it with a foolish attempt from distance. Bartels with a great chance cutting through the defensive line but couldn't get enough on his shot.
Decent chance by AJ but his shot drags just wide. Very active and involved this half, I think today has been one of his best games so far.
Some nice diagonal and overlapping movements in the final third but yet to find that finishing touch. Pretty even affair, it's been a battle of keepers in the first half. Soooo close by Bartels, clever corner sequence that would have been a golazo.
Skrippo going on the offensive for the second half. Adding a third striker to the lineup, as Pizarro replaces Ulisses.
Sigh, that was crushing ending. Lukimya conceded a penalty to Ingolstadt in the final minute. Not a bad overall display, but certainly could have sharper in several aspects. Subpar performance from Ujah compared to his earlier starts. Just wasn't able to get many shots on target today. Bargfrede is seriously lacking match fitness, didn't look good at all. That red card was also just reckless and unnecessary. Bartels was alright, had a nice chance in the second half on a counter attack but his first touch while entering the box was too heavy. Oztunali and Ujah had two more chances towards the closing minutes but both got too selfish taking those unlikely chances from distance. Especially with better options emerging around them. We really missed the build up and leadership by Junuzovic in the midfield. I found two of the better players today to be TGS and Vestergaard. Theo did well getting forward on the right flank, while Vestergaard won the majority of the aerial headers and challenges in his direction. The loss may have been prevented prior to the penalty when Pizarro had a golden opportunity with an open header but it went over. Just wasn't meant to be today.
One of the most frustrating games i've seen in a while. Every single touch of the ball resulted in a foul. Very hard to get anything going at all, especially without Junuzovic. It is painfully obvious that without him in the lineup, we have no attack. Furthermore, Lukimya was especially awful, however that penalty in the 92nd was as soft as i've ever seen. Lukimya placed both hands on the attacker lightly (he should not have done that) but the ball was headed out of play so the attacker decided to dive and was rewarded by this ridiculous official. Very frustrating match all around.
It was interesting that they tried Pizarro in midfield supporting Ujah and Johannsson in the second half. Personally, I think taking Ulisses Garcia off was the correct idea, but I would have replaced him with Kroos and replaced Ujah with Pizarro. Neither UG nor Ujah were providing any real substance to our game and Pizarro is at his best playing up front. Just my opinion.