5 Goal Thriller! Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann halts comeback at Mercedes-Benz arena #1908

Hoffenheim 3 Stuttgart 2

On a Saturday afternoon We would see the most anticipated match of the weekend. While the eyes might be on Sunday’s battle between Leverkusen and Friburg. What we have here this afternoon is a battle between two teams that battled relegation last season. Managing to maintain their status yet this campaign was not followed by expectations of something greater. Hoffenheim & Stuttgart finished near the bottom last season. This campaign they are making and improbable run at Europe. As an extra attention has been put on this intriguing affair. We are at the crater of the automobile in the wonderful city of Stuttgart. A city known for the epicenter of the automobile industry. As it is the starting point worldwide. As you can find plenty of activities associated with cars. The Mercedes-Benz Museum has been a big attraction. Everything about the city is about the vehicles. However, it is not the only thing that the city has to offer. With historical landmarks such as palace square. A touristy location the home of Neues Schools which was built between 1746 and 1807. It was used as a military parade ground. It stands next to two popular squares in Stuttgart Karlsplatz to the south and Schillerplatz a place with historical significance. In addition to that, of course the famous Fernsehturm Stuttgart the first ever TV Tower in Europe. A beautiful landmark that sits in the center of the city outside of that of course Stuttgart is the home of King William I during medieval times A very popularized museum such as Landesmuseum Württemberg a museum it was founded in 1862 by King William I along Grabkapelle auf dem Wuerttemberg:t was designed by Giovanni Salucci for King William I of Württemberg to house the remains his second wife. There’s a lot to do in Stuttgart, but on this Saturday afternoon, the focus of the city and the passionate fans around these parts is on the Mercedes Benz arena as Stuttgart will test themselves without Serhou Guirassy as the league’s top scorer has been sidelined as they look to pull a fast one over Max Beier and Hoffenheim as the battle between European hopefuls commence. It’s Hoffenheim. It’s Stuttgart and it starts right now.

Hoffenheim ended up with an incredibly hot start to the affair. A battle between two teams that want to continue to push the envelope in the European positions. However, it was the visitors that struck first. In the 4th minute Wout Weghorst supplied a through ball for Hoffenheim’s rising Star Max Beier He follows through from close range as Nubel makes the necessary save. However, almost immediately after Hoffenheim get on the break Grisha Promel pushes forward into the box before sending his well time to touch into the bottom corner as Hoffenheim take a 1-0 lead inside a 5 minutes. A perfect start for Hoffenheim as they strike first pudding the Mercedes-Benz arena into silence. Stuttgart the vast majority of the time dominated the ball. Hoffenheim completely through them off and have been very clinical finishers this season. The home side wasn’t going to go away though. With the possession in their control a few minutes later they managed to crack it. In the 6th minute Deniz Undav found himself in a dangerous position inside the box. He strikes from close range only to be reprimanded by Oliver Baumann. The momentum for Stuttgart continue to pick up over the next couple of minutes. They put Hoffenheim in some uncomfortable positions. However, thankfully for the visitors, their defensive unit was able to handle what was being thrown at them, at least for the time being. In the 17th minute, Stuttgart got themselves a set piece as they lined up with a free kick in a dangerous area. Chris Fuhrich facilitates the delivery Anton got his head on the end of it but ends up hooking it to the left. Just as Stuttgart was starting to pick up a little bit of energy It was dashed almost immediately after. In the 21st minute Max Beier was taken down in the penalty area. The video review was required but ultimately was given a penalty the correct decision. Kramaric Hoffenheim’s regular penalty taker was not available so here came Wout Weghorst to step up. As he searches for his first goal in his return to the Bundesliga. The Dutch striker follows through hits the bottom left post but fortunately ends up into the corner anyways as Hoffenheim have taken a 2-0 lead.

Wout Weghorst scored 70 goals for Wolfsburg He has returned to the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim and opens his account with his new club. He runs over to the touch line as he. Hugs Pellegrino ironically, a former Stuttgart manager. Hoffenheim didn’t have much of the ball. Yet they found themselves in a very privileged lead. It was well deserved but the second one is a brutal gut punch for Stuttgart. They are without their top striker and despite the ball have been struggling against Hoffenheim. Stuttgart pushing back on the lead as they look for their chances as it happens they manage to find quite a few. In the 27th minute Fuhrich delivers Oliver Baumann continues to be reliable as he makes the necessary stop. Three minutes later in the 30th minute a penalty opportunity would come their way. Deniz Undav steps up. Lifting the ball into the left corner however Oliver Baumann read him like a book as he gets his hands on it denying Stuttgart from 12 yd out. Hoffenheim remain in front with a two goal lead. A big opportunity wasted by Stuttgart a top save but nevertheless that was their way back in. 10 minutes later he looks to rebound from his penalty being denied. In the 40th minute Deniz Undav gets his header on the end of a cross from Stenzel yet Oliver Baumann pushes it over. In the final moment of the first half Hoffenheim rising Star Max Beier got some space inside the box before trying to kill it off once and for all thankfully Nubel makes the save as the first half comes through a close with Hoffenheim holding a two gold lead. Thanks to goes from Grisha Promel.

There was a sense that there was still much to see. Of course, Hoffenheim have the lead but it’s been down to clinical finishing. Stuttgart still have the majority of the ball. This gives them a punches chance. Probably only a puncher’s chance against Oliver Baumann but it’s not over yet. Stuttgart was amping up the pressure. They had a few early chances in the second half. They failed to find the target at least initially. Perhaps trying to do a little too much. Once things calmed down a bit, they slowly started to try to ship away at it. The goal was to get a go back and then see where they can go from there. Things went according to planned at least initially. In the 61st minute, Stuttgart finally break the ice as they get through Oliver Baumann. Deniz Undav connects with Chris Fuhrich collects it from inside the box before sending it into the bottom corner. Just like that with a snap of a finger Stuttgart get their goal back. However, what was awaiting them on the other side of this moment completely offsets the goal scored. 5 minutes later in the 66th minutes Robert Skov sinks the dagger. The Danish wingback found himself at the side of the box. Instead of putting it in the shelf, he drills a powerful hit into the bottom corner as Hoffenheim take the 3-1 lead. Just as Stuttgart had got themselves back into it. It was about to fall apart once again. Not only that from a Hoffenheim perspective, that goal is insurance. In the 70th minute Deniz Undav sprays it from distance as he hits the post. They very nearly get themselves. Another one however, that goal would eventually come. In the 73rd minute Deniz Undav follows through with the header beating Oliver Baumann as Stuttgart managers to get a goal back again. This time they can’t let Hoffenheim take advantage immediately afterwards again. The remainder of the second half was a pure assault on the Hoffenheim goal was Complete chaos However, Oliver Baumann lives in chaos. The 79th minute Silas from close range looks for the equalizer but ends up watching Oliver Baumann pull off another safe outside of his back pocket. Less than 10 minutes later here we go again. Angelo Stiller sends across into Dan Axle Zagado but the defense hounded him as the initial touch was deflected as Hoffenheim got out of trouble. At least for the moment. It was approaching the 90th minute. The Bundesliga official put a sign up reading the number seven. 7 minutes of stoppage time as the hosts had 7 minutes to find their equalizer. This was going to be easier said than done but here they came. In the 94th minute Deniz Undav finds Anton his strike from inside the box is denied by the goalkeeper. 3 minutes later in the 97th minute Stuttgart got themselves some last gasp of chances. Enzo Millot connects on a vicious strike from distance Oliver Baumann found himself off balance, but he manages to extend his arm pushing the deep strike over the goal. This gave them a late corner Angelo Stiller shoots from distance this time Oliver Baumann falls on it, collecting it from the bottom corner. The referee blows his whistle has Hoffenheim hang on as a hot start and a goalkeeping performance of the ages from Oliver Baumann settles Hoffenheim’s victory in five go thriller in Stuttgart.

Hoffenheim return to the European positions once again. Their victory propels them into the top six at least for the moment. A Frankfurt victory against Dortmund on Sunday night could possibly change their position. However, for the moment Hoffenheim continuing to strengthen their champions league. Chase. It was a coming out party for Pellegrino against his former side. Has he gets the better of his former employer A well-deserved victory. The irony of it is very illuminating. Pellegrino leaving Stuttgart possibly kept them from relegation. Meanwhile, his arrival at Hoffenheim has enhanced their low ambitions into becoming a European figure this season. Lost Christopher Baumgartner to Leipzig. He was the individual that kept Hoffenheim out of relegation zone last season. Pellegrino had to withstand a horrendous losing streak. Still they persisted. Hoffenheim then lost their diamond . The return from loan for Max Beier couldn’t have come at a better time. He put in his work at Hanover in Bundesliga too and was ready to make some noise. He has slowly become one of the best attackers in the league. This may not have been his starring performance, but he contributed and has contributed to this European chase. Grisha Promel gets off to a fire restart scoring very early on. Wout Weghorst scores a penalty to double the lead that put Hoffenheim in the driver’s seat. The rest of the way through. The Dutchman has gone through a lot in the last 12 months. However getting his first Bundesliga goal should only give him more confidence. He has played well lately and finally is rewarded. It turned out to be a bit of a battle though. As they had to stay in front. Robert Skov second, half goal turned out to be very important. Stuttgart did manage to score twice in the second half. However, Hoffenheim managed to hold on. What we saw in goal was an absolute masterpiece from Oliver Baumann. From saving a penalty in the first half to being the thorn in the side for Stuttgart. All the way down to the big time. Save on Enzo Millot he made in the 97th minute. Oliver has not made that many appearances for Germany. However, he is one of the best in the Bundesliga. I put him in the same category as Konan Casteels and Kevin Trapp as the most underrated goalkeepers in the league. The performance on Saturday was purely breathtaking. He is the hero and deservingly gets the plotted. However, Hoffenheim scoring immediately after Stuttgart get a goal back was the biggest shifting moment in the game. In a European battle against a Stuttgart side in the Champions League, we saw beauty from German football. From a Stuttgart standpoint. I was very impressed even though Hoffenheim proved to be far too clinical in front of goal for them to deal with. They dominated good portions of the match. More than 70% possession. Created so many chances. 23 shots across 97 minutes. 10 shots on target which is a fairly effective conversion rate. This is all without their top heavy gold threat in the team. They’re defeat on Saturday. Only convinces me more that they are a European side even without their star. When he comes back they will become a much bigger threat obviously, but considering they went toe to toe with a very strong Hoffenheim side without him shows Stuttgart can continue to pick up points even in his absence which will not be that much longer. However this evening Oliver Baumann is the hero as Hoffenheim take the points in Stuttgart.