Unable to progress from UEFA Champions League Group F, Hoffenheim can still make the Europe League and may turn to Reiss Nelson for their must-win trip to Manchester City on Wednesday (kick-off: 8pm CET/ 7pm GMT/ 2pm ET).
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Hoffenheim were undone by an added-time Shakhtar Donetsk goal on Matchday 5, losing 3-2 to end their hopes of progressing to the Champions League round of 16. With three points from five matches, Julian Nagelsmann’s side are bottom of the group, but can climb to third and into the Europa League if they win in Manchester and Shakhtar lose at home to Lyon. Although Nelson has been used as a substitute in Hoffenheim’s last seven matches in all competitions, the Arsenal loanee’s record of six goals in ten Bundesliga appearances (389 minutes) is hard to ignore in such a decisive fixture. That’s not to say Hoffenheim ever struggle for goals, but they are winless in four following Saturday’s comeback draw in Wolfsburg. Striker Adam Szalai is suspended, however.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City are already through to the last 16, but need a point to top the group. The defending English Premier League champions go into the game on the back of their first league defeat of the season, though, having lost 2-0 away to Chelsea at the weekend. Former Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Sergio Aguero missed the game through injury, and have been ruled out for the visit of tournament newcomers Hoffenheim. City were somewhat fortunate to win the reverse fixture, with an 87th-minute goal from David Silva decisive, but have been beaten once at home already in Europe this season, losing 2-1 to Lyon on Matchday 1.
Watch: Reiss Nelson was named the Bundesliga’s October Rookie of the Month
Match stats
- Andrej Kramaric, whose equaliser earned Hoffenheim a point at the weekend, has scored in his last eight games for club and country.
- Kramaric is Hoffenheim’s top scorer so far this season with 10 goals in all competitions, ahead of Nelson (six)
- Hoffenheim are the 13th German club to feature in the UEFA Champions League – a joint competition record with Spain.
- Aged 31 years 58 days, Julian Nagelsmann became the youngest coach in UEFA Champions League history on Matchday 1.
- Hoffenheim have not been involved in a 0-0 draw since 20 May 2017. Their 21 games this season in all competitions have produced 82 goals.
- Guardiola oversaw five wins and a draw against Hoffenheim, whilst in charge of Bayern Munich (2013-2016).
Probable line-ups
City: Ederson – Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Delph – B. Silva, Gündogan, Fernandinho, D. Silva (c), Sterling, Sane
Out: Aguero (groin), Bravo (Achilles), De Bruyne (ligament), Mendy (knee), Zinchenko (nose)
Coach: Pep Guardiola
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Bicakcic, Vogt, Hübner, Kaderabek – Zuber, Demirbay, Schulz – Kramaric – Belfodil, Joelinton
Out: Nordtveit (foot), Otto (foot), Rupp (cruciate ligament), Szalai (suspended)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
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