Porto push Hoffenheim aside in showery conditions
Visiting the Estádio do Dragão is not for the fainthearted, but that was the task at hand for TSG Hoffenheim this evening in Portugal. Pellegrino Matarazzo's men made a lively start as Bruun-Larsen headed wide from a Tom Bischof cross. Adam Hložek set his eyes on goal approaching the 20th-minute, but the Czechia striker failed to test Diogo Costa.
Oliver Baumann, who recently enjoyed a fine performance in German colours against Netherlands, came to the rescue on the half-hour. Porto worked a clever short free-kick variation to Pepê whose effort was parried behind for a corner. While Hložek constructed an opportunity which could have put TSG ahead, it was Porto who drew first blood before the break. Nico redirected a set-piece delivery into Tiago Djalo's path to control and pick out the lower left corner.
Further attempts on goal came from both teams after the restart with Prass clearing the crossbar by a considerable distance while Ivan Jamie tried his luck at the opposite end. With the scoreboard in their favour, Porto seemed content to surrender possession and invite Hoffenheim's pressure, but Matarazzo's side struggled to find footholds in the final third.
It almost seemed inevitable that the game would be decided with a slice of good fortune, or lack thereof for Hoffenheim. Spanish striker Samu initiated the attack on his own. Just as Anton Stach appeared to clean up, the German's back pass to Baumann was inaccurate. Samu regained possession, steadied himself, and fizzed a low shot inside Baumann's near post giving him little to no chance.
