Nagelsmann inspiring hope of Hoffenheim survival
On the evidence of their last two matches, there is plenty of life yet in TSG 1899 Hoffenheim under new coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Read: Hoffenheim 3-2 Mainz report
After a 1-1 draw away at relegation rivals SV Werder Bremen last weekend, Hoffenheim beat 1. FSV Mainz 05 3-2 on Saturday to seal a first win of 2016 and climb to within two points of 16th-placed Bremen.
Read: ten things on Julian Nagelsmann
Suddenly, there is genuine optimism at the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar Arena that the club will be able to prolong their eight-year stay in Germany's top flight. That is in large part down to the 28-year-old Nagelsmann, the Bundesliga's youngest ever top-flight head coach, already making quite an impact with his new charges.
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"There was a lot of Nagelsmann in this victory," said striker Kevin Volland in his post-match interview, Andrej Kramaric adding: "The coach just told us to go forward and enjoy ourselves. The fans were right behind us and we managed to do that."
If it ain't broke...
The game followed a similar pattern to the type of encounter that has come to symbolise Hoffenheim as a top-flight side in recent seasons: a young team concedes an early goal before responding with fast, exciting football and eventually holding on for a somewhat nervy win after letting in a second goal late on.