TSG Hoffenheim in crisis after 2:3 against Dortmund: perfect false start

Fisnik Asllani strolled through the catacombs in a white shirt, Andrej Kramaric left the Sinsheim arena with a serious expression: TSG Hoffenheim has made a classic false start in the Bundesliga and is under pressure early in the season. In the bitter 2:3 after 2:0 against Borussia Dortmund, Asllani was missing again (lack of training), while Kramaric again took on a supporting role as a joker.

Lemperle's feeling is "extremely shitty"

But if the Kraichgauers continue to concede three goals per game, even a fit Asllani and a starting eleven comeback from Kramaric won't be of much help. “We have zero points, the feeling is extremely crappy,” said goal scorer Tim Lemperle, whose 2-0 looked like a preliminary decision.

Before and after, Hoffenheim missed their best chances to decide the game early on. Hoffenheim had already lost 2-3 against 1. FC Cologne after leading twice.

“It doesn’t feel good at the moment to sit with zero points after two games. The boys had an extremely strong week of training after Cologne. They implemented it very well in the first 60 minutes, that impressed me,” said head coach Christian Ilzer. TSG put Bayern's strongest rivals under massive pressure for an hour, led 2-0 - and then collapsed.

Foul before Dortmund's first goal?

The key scene from Hoffenheim's point of view was Serhou Guirassy's connecting goal, which was preceded by an alleged foul on TSG newcomer Patrick Wimmer. “It’s a clear foul – it’s undisputed,” said Ilzer. Referee Matthias Jöllenbeck communicated with the video assistant after the goal, but the goal stood. The game then tipped over until an own goal from Albian Hajdari made the decision. Joker Fabio Silva had previously equalized.

“The coach just told us that we should all take a step closer together and not give up. We showed a lot today. You could see that we can play football well. And if we stick with it, we will also achieve success,” said Lemperle. In front of 30,150 spectators - around a third of whom were BVB fans dressed in yellow - Ilzer gathered his team in a circle and cheered up the professionals.

The Austrian said: "With a 2-0 lead you can't let up a millimeter, that was punished mercilessly today." The extra class of Guirassy and the two jokers Silva and Ethan Nwaneri were noticeable in the turbulent final phase. Hoffenheim also has a lot of quality in attack, but can only improve to a limited extent without Asllani and with short-term Kramaric (17 minutes this time).

Last time zero points with Kuranyi in attack

It doesn't really get any easier. The Baden-Württemberg duel with VfB Stuttgart awaits next week, after which the Europa League starts straight away. “Everyone has seen what qualities TSG has,” said BVB coach Niko Kovac. Ilzer commented on the two defeats: “We got one or two painful blows along the way. We will come out stronger.”

The last time Hoffenheim started the Bundesliga with zero points was eleven years ago. The coach at the time was Markus Gisdol, while Kevin Kuranyi also played in the attack. Only Oliver Baumann, who was not at fault for the three goals conceded, was in the TSG goal back then.