Dhe TSG 1899 Hoffenheim had an unfortunate and bitter start to the year in the Bundesliga. The team of coach Sebastian Hoeneß lost on Saturday in the empty Sinsheim stadium to the Baden rivals SC Freiburg with 1: 3 (0: 3). The Kraichgauers had to leave the field injured Sebastian Rudy and Kevin Akpoguma in the early stages. In addition, TSG conceded a stupid hand penalty and scored an own goal through Kasim Adams (42nd minute).
Baptiste Santamaria (7th minute) with his premier goal in the league and Vincenzo Grifo (34th) with a penalty scored for the guests. Ihlas Bebou scored the 1: 3 (58th). The sports club expanded its lead in the table over the Hoffenheim team to five points. In addition, at the beginning of his tenth year as head coach, Christian Streich from Breisgau won his fourth win in a row. The SC is now unbeaten in six games.
Hoffenheim wanted to start a race to catch up after the 2-1 win in Mönchengladbach shortly before the winter break, but nothing came of it at first. For the already weakened Europa League participant, the game began with a shock: Immediately before the 0: 1, Rudy SC captain Christian Günter tried to interfere with the cross and twisted his left knee.
Ironically, in his 300th Bundesliga game, the 2018 World Cup participant had to be led into the cabin with a thick bandage and came to the hospital for an examination. Rudy could not prevent the goal with his commitment: The French Santamaria stood at the far post and hit the ball perfectly.
Only shortly afterwards, the Hoffenheim team recorded their second failure: Defender Akpoguma also had to go out with a muscle injury in his thigh. The Hoeneß team was quickly out of rhythm and delivered a desolate first half. Without Rudy and the missing Florian Grillitsch, they didn’t have a ball distributor. Freiburg used their chances with a cool head.
The next setback for TSG was not long in coming: Nicolas Höfler headed substitute Melayro Bogarde in the penalty area – Grifo did not miss the penalty chance and increased it to 2-0. The former Hoffenheim player has already scored seven goals this season, more than ever in one season. With the own goal by Adams to 3-0, the TSG professionals went demoralized into the cabin.
After all, Hoffenheim shook off the miserable first 45 minutes in the second half. Bogarde fired the first dangerous shot. Then Bebou duped the unsorted Freiburg with a full shot under the crossbar Andrej Kramaric almost even headed the 2: 3 when the ball sailed over SC keeper Florian Müller, but the scorer only hit the side netting.
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