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Andrej Kramaric (l.) and Hoffenheim were kept at arm's length by a plucky Michael Lang (r.) and Borussia Mönchengladbach in a goalless draw in Sinsheim. - © © gettyimages / Daniel Roland
Andrej Kramaric (l.) and Hoffenheim were kept at arm's length by a plucky Michael Lang (r.) and Borussia Mönchengladbach in a goalless draw in Sinsheim. - © © gettyimages / Daniel Roland

Borussia Mönchengladbach frustrate Hoffenheim in Sinsheim stalemate

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Not even Reiss Nelson making his first start since October could inspire Hoffenheim to victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach, as the hosts were frustrated in a goalless draw in Sinsheim.

Hoffenheim 0-0 Gladbach

While Hoffenheim enjoyed more of the ball early on, the first notable opportunity fell at the other end of the field with Alassane Plea's shot stinging the palms of Oliver Baumann. Chances then started to fall the hosts' way, with Joelinton teeing up Andrej Kramaric to bury from close range, albeit from an offside position. That goal was ruled out and so was an effort by Joelinton just a few minutes later, although Video Assist had to be consulted to confirm that the offside flag should have been raised this time, too.

There were no changes at the interval and no change to the script at the start of the second half either, with the hosts continuing to set the tone. Joelinton went even closer to breaking the deadlock when he lobbed Yann Sommer, but the ball came back off the inside of the post. Gladbach coach Dieter Hecking tried to shake his team up with three substitutions, but ended up with only ten men on the field for the final five minutes as Raffael picked up an injury after a clash with Joelinton, just minutes after entering the fray. Even with a one-man advantage, though, Hoffenheim were unable to find a route to goal as they had to settle for a frustrating goalless draw.

Match stats

    The previous 10 matches between these two sides had produced 46 goals, averaging almost five per game.This was only the second goalless draw in 21 fixtures between these sides, the other coming back in January 2013.Nelson made his first start in the Bundesliga in six weeks. He last started the 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.Stefan Posch made his first appearance in over two months, returning from an injury he picked up at the start of October in the 2-1 defeat to Frankfurt.Laszlo Benes came on to make his first Bundesliga appearance since Matchday 31 last season – almost eight months ago.

Line-ups

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) – Bicakcic, Adams, Posch – Bittencourt, Kaderabek, Demirbay, Schulz – Kramaric (Szalai 63') – Nelson (Belfodil 71'), Joelinton
Unused subs: Stolz, Brenet, Grillitsch, Zuber, Hübner
Out: Nordtveit (foot), Otto (foot), Rupp (cruciate ligament), Vogt
Doubtful: Akpoguma (back)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Gladbach: Sommer – Beyer, Elvedi, Lang (Johnson 74'), Wendt – Neuhaus, Strobl, Cuisance – Hazard, Stindl (c) (Benes 64'), Plea (Raffael 80')
Unused subs: Sippel, Herrmann, Traore, Mayer
Out: Doucoure (thigh), Ginter (facial injury), Vilalba (ankle) Zakaria (suspended)
Doubtful: Hofmann (hip)
Coach: Dieter Hecking

Watch: Reiss Nelson enjoying life in the Bundesliga

As it happened

Click here for the Hoffenheim-Gladbach match centre!