Bundesliga 2019/20: Paderborn vs Hoffenheim – tactical analysis

SC Paderborn welcomed Hoffenheim to the Benteler-Arena in Paderborn for their Bundesliga match. Both teams are likely relatively unhappy with their current Bundesliga season, as Hoffenheim are currently missing out on Europa League qualification spot and Paderborn look to be going down unless they right the ship soon. Their match proved to be a step in the right direction for Paderborn as they secured a point against Hoffenheim after two early goals canceled one another out on matchday 27.

This tactical analysis will examine the tactics used by both Paderborn and Hoffenheim. The analysis will reveal that while both teams sought to take advantage of the other’s weaknesses, neither team was able to do so well enough to earn them all the points.

Lineups

Steffen Baumgart sent Paderborn out in a 4-3-3 with Leopold Zingerle in goal. The back four consisted of Jamilu Collins and Mohamed Dräger as the left and right back, respectively, with Uwe Hünemeier and Sebastian Schonlau as the centre-backs. Their three midfielders were Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Sebastian Vasiliadis, and Klaus Gjasula, with Gjasula playing as the holding midfielder. Gerrit Holtmann was on the left-wing, Kai Pröger was on the right, and Dennis Srbeny was the lone forward.

Alfred Schreuder’s side came out in a 3-5-2 with Oliver Baumann in goal. Benjamin Hübner, Ermin Bičakčić, and Stefan Posch made up the back three, and they were often assisted defensively by the two men on the wing: Steven Zuber and Pavel Kadeřábek. The three in the centre of the midfield were Sebastian Rudy, Christoph Baumgartner, and Florian Grillitsch, who played as the holding midfielder. Robert Skov and Ihlas Bebou were the forwards for Hoffenheim, with Skov scoring their lone goal on the day.