Brooks starts for Hoffenheim, no Che on the bench. Leverkusen went up 1-0 in the sixth minute as a cross came in from the left. Brooks partially blocked it, but a few seconds later, Andrich got possession outside the box and scores.He's in the middle of the back line in a 3-4-3.
Brooks chases Frimpong into the box. May have affected his balance just enough to make the ensuing shot difficult.
One minute into the second half, Leverkusen lightning attack that leaves Brooks stranded. May have accidentally kept Frimpong on trying to close him down, which was only a mistake because he had no chance of catching him. Matarazzo and new friends down 2-0.
Tried to watch a few minutes but the back line was shambolic. Matarazzo has his work cut out for him. Will be interesting to see if they are better next week. I guess he has had 2 days or something like that with these guys. Maybe we should start a Matarazzo thread so I don't have to comment on Brooks' game and get a ban.
Less disastrous outing for Hoffenheim so far. Conceded zero shots on goal, and Brooks just had a a calm interception to end their most dangerous attack yet. Launched a counter with his distribution pass as well. Against Augsburg, who are right about even with TSG in the table.
Augsburg early second half goal. Brooks was busy fighting Yebaoh for the ball eight yards in front of goal. Had managed to strip it, but his little touch away goes right to Demirovic, who blasts it off of the post, but lukily has it come right back to him to put in. And then it's called back because Yeboah was hitting Vogt in the face during the struggle in front of goal, and that's called an offensive foul in the buiild-up.
Bizarre goal called off. Have to agree. That was a slap in the face. Hoffenheim dodge a bullet. Still 0-0.
Brooks had been on the left of a three man backline - moves to the center as they decide whether Vogt will come back on or not - possible concussion check, but he definitely does no seem concussed from here.
That was a good ballsy call by the ref that I did not see in real time. it was the right call. Yeboah definitely gained an advantage with a whack on the face to Vogt.
Matarazzo decides to pull Vogt, who rips off his jersey and may lead to some further discussion. Bicakcic comes on.
Brooks back on the left now, and just made a peak Brooks-y pass from 45 yards out to the far post, where it's volleyed back to the middle but well-defended.
60' Matarazzo bringing Kramaric on. He brought Asslani the 20 yr old German youth int'l on at the half for Dolberg who had not done anything in the FH. They look better than last week, anyway.
Hoffenheim concedes from a corner in the 89'. Brooks wasn't at fault, but he hasn't been great in the last 10'. I think he's still getting back to match fitness.
He's back to his "desperation time CF" role. Almost got on the end of a promising looking cross, but mistimed his jump.
Desperation attack with Delaney crossing in toward Brooks at the back post to try to head home. Does not work, but fun to see Brooks playing extra center forward for a while.
I can't tell if this is just something he does, or if every manager is like "oh, wait, this would be a great idea". It's almost certainly the latter, but it would be really funny if every coach is just like "John, WHAT ARE YOU DOING STOP DOING THAT!".
I only caught the 2nd half, no surprise in the result, but it's one that hurts... always rough to concede after the 85'