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I've been Josh Slinger and I hope you've enjoyed my coverage of this Champions League encounter.

Be sure to check back with VAVEL for coverage of all Champions League and Manchester City fixtures.

Next round draw

Due to finishing top, it is likely that City will receive a favourable matchup in the round of 16 draw on Monday, showing why it was so important to get the three points and make sure of top spot tonight.

Man of the Match?

Sane is my Man of the Match, he looked dangerous all night and scored both goals for the Citizens, including a terrific free-kick just before half-time to draw the Blues level.

Full-time: Manchester City 2-1 TSG Hoffenheim

City ensure top spot in the group with the three points in an efficient performance at the Etihad.

Hoffenheim were good in spells tonight, although the defeat will mean that they finish bottom of the group, and will have no European football in the new year. 

90'

There will be two additional minutes. 

88'

City simply looking to run the clock down now, taking their time with the ball and looking to keep possession to ensure the three points and top spot in the group.

85'

A final change for City, Kompany replaces Bernardo as the Blues look to tighten up at the back for the latter stages.

84'

A chance for Sterling to wrap it up. Foden picks out the English winger from outwide, although City's number seven drags the ball wide - should've scored.

82'

 

The visitors whip a free-kick into the area from outwide, although Walker heads clear.

Hoffenheim have a habit of scoring late goals and are beginning to push for one here. 

 

79'

Huge credit should go to the travelling Hoffenheim fans tonight, they were terrific from the off, and still haven't stopped.

76'

Sterling switches the ball to Foden, who volley's brilliantly from just inside the box, forcing a terrific save from Baumann. That would've been a contender for goal of the competition so far. 

73'

Substitute Belfodil's first involvement is a rare attack from Hoffenheim. The forward fires from distance although Ederson saves comfortably.

71'

Foden drives forward and fires over from distance. 

City well in control of this one now. 

70'

A final change for Hoffenheim, Belfodil replaces Bittencourt.

66'

Gundogan fires over the bar from the resulting free-kick.

The Etihad faithful wanted Sane to take it to try and wrap up his hat-trick with his second free-kick of the night. 

65'

Grillitsch picks up the first yellow card of the night for arguing with the referee following Huber's foul on Foden on the edge of the area - a dangerous place to give away a free-kick.

64'

Delph also replaces Zinchenko for City.

63'

A second change for Hoffenheim - Geiger is replaced by Amiri.

61' GOAL! City take the lead!

Sane has his second of the night. 

The German drives forward before playing the ball to Sterling, who takes two touches, plays the ball back to Sane who beats the 'keeper at his near post. 

58'

Hoffenheim now find themselves with a great chance to take the lead as Nelson latches on to a through-ball, although is unable to find a way past Ederson who saves with his right boot. 

56'

Not sure how Cit aren't ahead.

 

The Blues somehow find themselves through on goal, from inside their own half, as Sterling, Bernardo and Sane find themselves running through on goal. 

The City attackers look to play the ball between themselves, allowing Hoffenheim with the chance to sprint back and get the ball clear. Guardiola looks furious.

54'

A quick City counter is lead by Sterling, who plays the ball through to Jesus before the Brazilian fires at Baumann from a tight angle - another good save by the Hoffenheim 'keeper.

49'

A corner is whipped in by Sane, and despite going out on the way into the area, the corner finds Laporte whose header is brilliantly saved by Baumann, even despite the linesman's flag already being up.

46'

We're back underway in the second-half!

 

A change for either side. Walker replaces Stones whilst Nelson replaces Brenet.

Half-time: Manchester City 1-1 TSG Hoffenheim

The visitors started strongly and deservedly took the lead through Kramaric.

City reponded well to going behind and could've had three or four in the final 20 minutes of the half. Sane's free-kick was brilliant and the least the Blues deserved. 

Set up for a potentially brilliant second 45, as both sides look to win it.

45+1' GOAL! City are level!

A terrific strike from Sane! 

City are rewarded with a free-kick 25 yards out, and Sane leathers the ball into the corner brilliantly! Way too much pace and power on the ball for Baumann - a contender for goal of the week.

City deserve that and will be level going into half-time.

45'

There will be one additional minute.

44'

A chance for Hoffenheim on the counter as they get men over down the left, although Schulz's cross in has too much on it - a let-off for City!

41'

Kramaric is now down following a challenge from Zinchenko, although will also be alright to continue. 

40'

Jesus has received treatment and is alright to continue. 

39'

Jesus goes down clutching his ankle following a challenge from Adams, who won the ball fairly.

34'

A city freekick from wide is whipped in by Gundogan. Otamendi flicks it onto the bar. So close again from City, Hoffenheim struggling to deal with set pieces.

31'

The game has now settled into a slower rhythm.

Since scoring Hoffenheim have been glad to let the home side boss the possession, although are doing a great job of staying tight, and not letting the Citizens have the ball near to their goal.

23'

The Hoffenheim goal seems to have given both the City players and fans the boost that they needed. The Blues started the game asleep and have been much better since going behind.

21'

Another City set piece, this time swung into the area by Gundogan. The ball picks out Stones, whose header is saved by Baumann. 

19'

City look to respond immediately. Sane's corner finds Jesus who's head smashes against the post. Should be 1-1.

16' GOAL! Hoffenheim lead.

Kramaric sends Ederson the wrong way from the spot. The German side deserve that lead. 

15' Penalty for Hoffenheim!

Laporte brings down Hubner inside the area, and the visitors have a penalty!

12'

Hoffenheim break down the left, play the ball into Kramaric who fires over Ederson's goal from 20 yards. The visitors have started well. 

10'

A chance for Jesus and Sterling to breakthrough.

The Brazilian picks up the ball in a central position and looks to drive at the backline, he had Sterling in acres of space down the right, although chose to go alone and was dispossessed by Hubner.

7'

It's clear from the off here that Naglesman has set his team up to come and try and get at the champions of England. Hoffenheim are pressing very high, and getting quite a lot of joy through winning the ball back and retaining possession.

3'

Sterling collides with Hubner whilst looking to get at the German backline, goes down holding his face, although the referee gives nothing. 

1'

Early pressure from Hoffenheim as they look to get on the front foot at the Blues, although City manage to cooly play their way out of trouble. 

1'

We're underway at the Etihad!

The teams are in the tunnel

The teams are in the tunnel and are ready to round off their Champions League group stage campaigns.

Both teams have something to play for, however, the points may be more crucial for Hoffenheim, as they'd need to win to have any chance of qualifying for the Europa League.

Foden starts

As discussed earlier, Foden does start in the City midfield - the young Englishman has been rewarded for signing a new contract, and it will be exciting to see how he fairs in the biggest club competition of them all.


Jesus also gets a chance to lead the line, he has been disappointing in the absence of Aguero, although will be hoping for a similar game to his last Champions League start at the Etihad, in which he scored a hat-trick. 

Team news is in!

Man City XI: Ederson; Laporte, Stones, Otamendi (C), Zinchenko; Gundogan, Foden, Bernardo, Sane; Sterling, Jesus.


Hoffenheim XI: Baumann; Brenet, Hubner, Adams, Kaderabek; Grillitsch, Geiger, Schulz; Bittencourt, Kramaric, Joelinton.

Team news to follow

I shall be back closer to kick-off with more news ahead of this one, including teams news from 19:00 GMT.

Bigger game for the Germans?

City will undoubtedly want to top the group, although having already qualified, it could be argued it is a bigger game for Hoffenheim.

Staying in Europe would produce further finances for the Germans, and another shot at getting back into the Champions League for next season, should they win Europe's second-best international club competition. 

Last time out

Guardiola’s men lost their first game of the season in the Premier League this weekend away at Chelsea, and will, therefore, will be looking to bounce back. 

Hoffenheim have won just one out of their last six, and are winless in the Champions League all campaign, accumulating three draws and two losses from their five fixtures. 

When these sides met in the reverse tie in Germany, City did struggle - David Silva scored late to secure a 2-1 win for the champions of England. 

Hoffenheim predicted XI

Baumann; Bicakcic, Vogt, Hübner, Kaderabek; Zuber, Demirbay, Schulz; Kramaric; Belfodil, Joelinton.

Man City predicted XI

Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Zinchenko; Delph, B. Silva, Foden; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.

Hoffenheim injuries and suspensions

Lukas Rupp is a certainty to be missing the game through injury for Julian Nagelsmann's men, whilst Adam Szalai is suspended.

Dennis Geiger, Nadiem Amiri and Havard Nordveit are also doubtful.

Foden to start?

Phil Foden signed a new contract this week and could be rewarded with a start on Wednesday night. Guardiola has spoken further about the youngster in his press conference. 

"I’m delighted, I would have been happy for Jadon (Sancho) to stay here, and Brahim (Diaz), that was our wish."

The Spaniard then went into further detail about Foden, "We believe Phil Foden is something unique like Jadon and Brahim. We’re going to help him be a better player and he’s going to help us be a better team.” 

Before capping off talk of the young talent by saying, “He's an incredible player, a Manchester City fan, so it’s a perfect deal. Congratulations to the club and himself."

City injury woes

City have been hit with a lot of injury concerns as of late. Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, Kevin de Bruyne, Danilo, David Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Claudio Bravo all feature on City’s enormous injury list, and won’t be available for this matchup. 

Hoffenheim aim to stay inEurope

This game will mark a disappointing end to the Champions League for Hoffenheim, who were out of their depth in this group. 

The German side could still qualify for the Europa League should they win and Shakhtar Donetsk lose to Olympique Lyonnais, as they would then sit third in the group. 

City aim to clinch top spot

City will go into this game with just one thing in mind - clinching top spot in their group, and a point will be enough to see them do this. 

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the updates commentary of Manchester City vs Hoffenheim Live Blog. I'm Josh Slinger and I'll be taking you through the action as it unfolds. 

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