Hoffenheim’s Nagelsmann wins battle of youngest coaches

In a duel between the youngest ever Bundesliga coaches, 30-yearold Julian Nagelsmann's Hoffenheim defeated 32-year-old Domenico Tedesco's Schalke 2-0 Saturday.

Both earned their coaching badges together, though Nagelsmann got a head start in February 2016 when he was appointed in place of the ailing Huub Stevens with Hoffenheim in relegation trouble. Nagelsmann saved the team in his first season and led it to the Champions League playoffs in the next.

Schalke fans hope Tedesco, who took over in the offseason after just 11 games in charge of sec- ond-tier Erzgebirge Aue, can match his former classmate's feats.

Dennis Geiger's first Bundesliga goal gave Hoffenheim an early lead, but the visitors improved as the game progressed and might have equalized after the break when Yevhen Konoplyanka struck the crossbar.

Konoplyanka was just wide before Mark Uth struck the post at the other end.

Uth thought he'd sealed it late but the goal was ruled out for offside, keeping Schalke in the game until Uth launched the ball forward for Lukas Rupp to score in the third minute of injury time.

Nagelsmann's side remains one of three unbeaten teams in the Bundesliga.

LEIPZIG HOLDS ON

Leipzig warmed up for its Champions League game at Besiktas with a hard-fought 2-1 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Timo Werner, who missed a clear opportunity to give Leipzig the lead, set up new signing JeanKevin Augustin to score his second goal since arriving from Paris St. Germain.

Werner finally scored midway through the second half, turning brilliantly and firing inside the far post.

Ante Rebic pulled one back for a nervy finale. The visitors were unlucky not to equalize when Simon Falette hit the post and the rebound came back off Leipzig 'keeper Peter Gulacsi's back before rolling out of play.

Suspended Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita watched his side in an eye-catching dinner jacket with a red top hat.

SCARCE GOALS

Pablo De Blasis's penalty was enough for Mainz to beat visiting Hertha Berlin 1-0. Werder Bremen drew 0-0 against Freiburg, and Stuttgart was also held to a homeless draw against Augsburg.

Borussia Dortmund, the only side yet to concede, hosted Borussia Moenchengladbach later Saturday.