Bundesliga 2021/22: Why Hoffenheim’s Performance Against Vfb Stuttgart Shows They Are Champions League Contenders – Tactical Analysis

Hoffenheims head coach, Sebastian Hoeneß and VfB Stuttgart coach, Pellegrino Matarazzo can surely relate to each other on a managerial level, as both coaches have experienced what each other so far is going through during the 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign.

Hoeneß’s team sat fourth before their Friday night matchup, playing quality football reminiscent of ex-Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann.

By contrast, Matarazzo’s men are near the bottom of the table, fighting for survival.

Now the gap between these two teams is quite vast, but, during the previous season, roles were reversed.

During the 2021/21 season, Stuttgart were the hotshots of the league, bringing exciting, energetic, and fun football to the German topflight.

On the other hand, Hoffenheim was caught in limbo, trying to re-create their form once found in previous managers, while recovering from star players being sold to rivals.

Last season, Hoffenheim finished eleventh, while Bundesliga newcomers finished a respectable ninth place.

The fortunes of the clubs going head-to-head have drastically changed, one for the better and one for the worse; Sebastian Hoeneß has been a revelation for Die Kraichgauer, making use of all his experience managing at Bayern Munichs youth level.

Conversely, Stuttgart has not received the same luck—losing important players because of injury such as left-back Borna Sosa a few days before this fixture, and tricky winger Silas Katompa Mvumpa, who was a major success story from last season.

Hoffenheim will have wanted this game to be a continuation of the good work they have showcased so far this season.

Stuttgart hoped it would be the beginning of a revival, to keep them within the top division.

When a team fighting for their lives plays away from home, it should be a formality, especially a team of Hoffenheim’s calibre.

But football is never as simple as that.

In this tactical analysis, I will delve into the defensive and pressing structures of sides, while discussing Florian Grillitsch’s versatility and usage throughout the match.

Last, I will look into the role of Christoph Baumgartner and how his two goals staged a late comeback.

Line-up

Hoffenheim made use of a 3-5-2 formation: in goal, Oliver Baumann.

In the back 3, Stefan Posch, Florian Grillitsch in the middle and Benjamin Hübner, with David Raum and Pavel Kadeřábek at wing-back.

Christoph Baumgartner, Dennis Geiger and former Premier League attacker Andrej Kramarić, were stationed in midfield.

Just in front in the forward line, with Georginio Rutter and Ihlas Bebou.

Stuttgart utilised a 4-5-1 formation: in goal, Florian Müller.

In the backline—Hiroki Ito, Waldemar Anton, Arsenal loanee Konstantinos Mavropanos and Pascal Stenzel.

In midfield, Orel Mangala, Atakan Karazor and Wataru Endo.

Within Stuttgart’s attack; Omar Marmoush, Tiago Tomás and Chris Führich.

A pressing battle

Most spectators would have been surprised as the half-time whistle blew with no goals on the board for both teams.

This is because of both Hoffenheim and Stuttgart employing well-drilled defensive strategies, about their defensive transitioning, out of possession shape and pressing tactics.

Starting with th