Christian Ilzer was visibly delighted by the way in which his side defeated RB Leipzig on his first game in charge. - © IMAGO/Oliver Zimmermann

bundesliga

Christian Ilzer off to a dream start at Hoffenheim

23.11.2024

Three times Hoffenheim trailed to RB Leipzig and three times they found a response. They even managed to find a winner in the end, capping off a fantastic debut for new head coach Christian Ilzer.

Going into the match, Hoffenheim were by no means the favourites, but new coach Ilzer established himself by selecting a bold line-up, setting the tone in the process. The Austrian probably could not have imagined that his debut would be the rollercoaster it was, but it did culminate in the first time ever that the home side had won a Bundesliga game in which they had been trailing three times.

Watch: Highlights of Hoffenheim's win over Leipzig

Tactical masterclass

Perhaps the clearest change Ilzer had made, which was immediately noticeable before the first whistle had been blown, was the switch he made to a back four; Hoffenheim had played all ten previous games with a back three. It reinvigorated his side, particularly in the attacking phases. TSG earned their victory, having had 18 shots on goal to Leipzig’s 14 and an xG of 2.1 to RB’s 1.4. They were also the more active team, both in terms of possession (56 percent) and duels won (57 percent), but they also ran 5.5km more than Die Roten Bullen.

Although the defence conceded three goals, it was visibly more solid than it had been in weeks gone by. Antonio Nusa scored a rocket and Stanley Nsoki was unlucky with his own goal. Only when Willi Orbán opened the scoring did it feel as if the hosts had really let themselves be opened up and outplayed. The mentality seemed to be positive right throughout the team too: Adam Hložek equalised twice and Tom Bischof did so once, curling a beautiful free-kick from the edge of the penalty area off the inside of the post. Managing to put four past a Leipzig side that, until this game, had the best defensive record in the league (having conceded just five times prior), is not something to be overlooked.

Jacob Bruun Larsen celebrates his dramatic late winner just six minutes after coming off the bench. - Helge Prang

All that glitters…

New coach Ilzer seemingly has brought his Midas touch with him to Germany, having celebrated winning the double with Sturm Graz last season in Austria. Not only did the 47-year-old come up with a fresh game plan that worked throughout the match, regardless of what the scoreline may have suggested at the time, but he had an ace in the hole for the third time his team went behind.

The substitution of Jacob Bruun Larsen in the 81st minute proved to be inspired, as, just seconds after he came on, he set up Hložek to make it 3-3, before heading home the winner in the 87th minute.

"For me, it's a debut that couldn't have been better," said Ilzer afterwards. "The team did a lot of what we set out to do. I liked the team's performance, this mentality of always coming back after trailing three times and even winning. There was a lot of energy. It was an emotional game, a real rollercoaster ride, but in the end it was a wonderful day for us all."

There’s not much time for his side to celebrate and dwell on this remarkable result though: on Thursday they travel to Braga for the UEFA Europa League, before hitting the road once again on Sunday for their next Bundesliga fixture away at Mainz.