Leipzig drop vital points against Hoffenheim

RB Leipzig 0-0 Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim made a positive start, with their high pressing game disrupting Leipzig's ability to build from the back. The hosts gradually began to take control of the game, but clear-cut chances were at a premium at both ends. Angelino was making his first start in almost two months for Leipzig, but the Spaniard's deliveries from the left flank were lacking their usual incisiveness. Hoffenheim had their best chance of the half following a neat free-kick routine, with Robert Skov whipping in a cross-cum-shot that was just beyond the reach of Christoph Baumgartner and sailed narrowly wide. Leipzig went closest through captain Marcel Sabitzer, who rifled wide after a neat ball down from Emil Forsberg, but neither side managed to muster a shot on target in a rather underwhelming first half.

Both coaches made changes at the interval, with Leipzig flying out of the blocks and pressing Hoffenheim higher up the pitch. Christopher Nkunku finally had the game's first attempt on target on the hour mark, after a lovely through ball from Sabitzer, but Oliver Baumann was equal to his low effort. Leipzig continued to knock on the door as Tyler Adams squandered a golden opportunity, heading off target from Forsberg's pinpoint cross, before Sabitzer fizzed another attempt inches wide of the post. With three precious points slipping away from his side, Julian Nagelsmann sent on forwards Alexander Sörloth and Poulsen - the former shanked a half-volley over the bar after a lovely header down from Forsberg, while the latter thought he had won the game deep in stoppage time, only for his headed winner to be ruled out by the VAR for handball. Leipzig were left to rue their missed chances after failing to break the deadlock, and could find themselves seven points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich by the end of the weekend.

• Leipzig have gone two Bundesliga home games without scoring for the first time under Julian Nagelsmann.
• Nagelsmann oversaw 116 Bundesliga matches in charge of Hoffenheim, winning 51. This is the first time in four meetings that he has failed to beat his former side.
• Die Roten Bullen have the best defence in this season's Bundesliga, conceding just 23 goals.
• Kramaric is Hoffenheim's 14-goal top scorer this term, but has only found the net once in his last eight outings.
• TSG haven't had a shot on target in their last two games, but they've kept clean sheets in goalless draws against Bayer Leverkusen and now Leipzig.
• Hoffenheim have failed to win nine of their last 11 Bundesliga matches (D4, L5), and are winless in their last six on the road.

Watch: Nagelsmann: "If we don't win our games, we won't be champions"

Leipzig: Gulacsi - Konate (Halstenberg 78'), Upamecano, Orban - Mukiele (Haidara 46'), Adams, Sabitzer (c), Angelino (Kampl 46') - Olmo (Sörloth 62'), Nkunku - Forsberg (Poulsen 72')
Unused subs: Martinez, Hwang, Klostermann, Henrichs
Out: Kluivert (knock), Laimer (match fitness), Szoboszlai (groin)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann 

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Kaderabek, Posch, Richards, Sessegnon - Samassekou, Grillitsch (Gacinovic 56'), Baumgartner - Rutter (Bebou 46'), Kramaric (Adamyan 90'+1), Skov (Nordtveit 62')
Unused subs: Pentke, Dabbur, Belfodil, Bogarde, Beier
Out: Akpoguma (knock), Bicakcic (knee), Geiger (hamstring), Hübner (ankle), Rudy (knock), Stafylidis (shoulder), Vogt (calf)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß