2. Bundesliga heroes starred in an entertaining draw | OneFootball

The big appeal for neutrals ahead of Heidenheim’s trip to Hoffenheim was the possibility of a second matchday in a row without a home win in Bundesliga. Heidenheim snatching a draw from Leipzig on their last trip was a good omen for that, although that’s the solitary point they gained from their last nine Bundesliga encounters.

Meanwhile, Hoffenheim took seven points from their last three games. Naturally, the home game against Stuttgart was the only game they failed to win in this streak. Even after their elimination from Europe, Frank Schmidt's tinkering continues with five changes from last week’s starting XI.

For his part, Christian Ilzer had to deal with Anton Stach’s suspension as he made two swaps from the team that won in Bochum. Diadié Samassékou, who came in to replace the sought-after Stach, only lasted five minutes due to injury, however.

After two of their players cautioned inside the first 15 minutes, Heidenheim eased into the game while Hoffenheim struggled to fashion their first shot on target. But, when it finally came, it proved decisive from an unlikely source.

Valentin Gendrey’s long throw was converted by Haris Tabaković’s header to put the hosts in front in the 32th minute. Tabaković joined the club after finishing joint top-scorer in 2. Bundesliga, but this is only a second Bundesliga goal in a difficult season for the Bosnian striker.

The momentum changed after the goal with Gift Orban and Tabaković coming close to score Hoffenheim’s second before the break. Heidenheim’s display gave a perfect reflection to why they failed to score in three of their last four Bundesliga games.

Budu Zivzivadze, who is yet to score for FCH, was introduced at half-time as the Georgian striker replaced center-back Tim Siersleben. However, it’s the hosts who created the first chance of the second-half when Tom Bischof looked to score his third goal in four games.

Then, the game suddenly became end-to-end with Heidenheim testing Oliver Baumann through their captain Patrick Mainka and Benedikt Gimber. With Leo Scienza unavailable and Paul Wanner on the bench, former Bayern midfielder Niklas Dorsch took set-piece responsibility.

But, it was Zivzivadze who brought Schmidt’s side back in the game with his 15th goal of the season. Suddenly, he looked like a player who scored 14 goals for Karlsruhe in the Hinrunde when he unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the penalty box.

The visitors continued on their momentum with Marvin Pieringer the next to force Baumann to a save. Wanner’s introduction also boosted Heidenheim’s creativity as they searched for the winner to get out of the foot of Bundesliga’s table. Hoffenheim’s experienced keeper had to make an even better save to deny the 19-year-old.

Heidenheim were the better team in the final 20 minutes as the hosts only had chances after the 90th minute. Coming off the bench, the 19-year-old Bazoumana Toure produced another good performance for Hoffenheim. The referee dished three yellow cards in the injury-time.

The draw means no team won a home game in Bundesliga for two straight matchdays. Hoffenheim are back in 13th place, but their lead over Union Berlin is now reduced to a goal difference. Meanwhile, despite their valiant second-half display, Heidenheim remained at bottom place.