Hoffenheim remain unbeaten

Posted Sunday, October 19, 2014 by PA

Hoffenheim extended their unbeaten start to the season to seven games by picking up a point in a 1-1 draw at Hamburg.

Anthony Modeste gave Markus Gisdol's men the lead, but Pierre-Michel Lasogga levelled for the hosts.

Lasogga hit the crossbar as the northern Germany side ended the game strongly, but they failed to record a first home win this season and add to their success at Borussia Dortmund a fortnight ago.

Hamburg appeared to have been boosted by their first win of the season and attacked with more insistency than they have shown in their previous home matches this season.

Hoffenheim sat back and waited patiently for chances to break, although they were not accurate with their counter-attacks until the 15th minute, when they took the lead.

Pirmin Schwegler sent Modeste through and he threaded his shot past the onrushing Jaroslav Drobny.

Modeste had a similar chance minutes later, but the Hamburg defence recovered this time to deny him and Hoffenheim a second.

The visitors created several chances to double their advantage, with Roberto Firmino going close before Hamburg gave them a taste of their own medicine to level on the break in the 34th minute.

Nicolai Muller robbed Firmino of possession and, with the help of Torgay Arslan, the ball arrived at Lasogga, who underlined his goalscoring instinct.

The game was wide open with Tarik Elyounoussi missing a one-on-one with Drobny when he could have put Hoffenheim in front for the second time just before half-time, and then it was Firmino who hit the post.

Lasogga hit the crossbar at the other end, after having been denied by Oliver Baumann earlier with Hamburg sensing a chance of victory.

Baumann held firm, though, preventing Zoltan Stieber from earning his side all three points late on.