Liberating victory for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. With a clear win against Hertha BSC, the team of coach Pelegrino Matarazzo reported impressively back in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga. TSG defended their lead in the final phase after being red carded outnumbered – Hertha couldn’t get more than one consolation goal.
Led by penalty king Andrej Kramaric, TSG Hoffenheim sent a sign of life in the relegation battle for the first time in months. After seven bankruptcies and a total of 14 games without a win in a row, the previous bottom team won the basement duel.
Hertha-Schreck Kramaric first by hand (24th), then by penalty kick (37th) and Ihlas Bebou (51st) scored for the Kraichgauer, who should have saved the job of their coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. Kramaric has not scored as often against any other club as against Berlin (twelve goals).
Hoffenheim no longer in danger after being sent off
The TSG victory was no longer in danger after Munas Dabbur received a red card for a serious foul (71′). Stevan Jovetic (90 + 2) shortened only in injury time. Hoffenheim coach Matarazzo: “We started the game very cautiously. We grew with the opening goal. I’m happy for the team that they got their reward.”
With the three, TSG (22 points) overtook Hertha (21) in the table. The Berliners conceded their eighth away bankruptcy in a row. TSG improved to 15th place, but sports director Alexander Rosen gave the warning. “Of course I’m relieved. But that was only one game, that can only be the beginning,” said Rosen after seven defeats in a row.
Hertha are rather harmless in attack
The 25,027 spectators in Sinsheim saw a largely balanced encounter in the first few minutes. Pavel Kaderabek had the best opportunity in the early stages for Hoffenheim (8′) after Kramaric’s preparatory work. Hertha had little to offer on the offensive.
The isolated attacking efforts of the Berliners, in which Marc Oliver Kempf, Marton Dardai, Jean-Paul Boetius, Chidera Ejuke and Kelian Nsona were missing, did not pose any danger. Hoffenheim were close to taking the lead in the 20th minute, but Kramaric was saved by goalkeeper Oliver Christensen.
Kramaric scores for Hoffenheim
Shortly thereafter, the Croatian did better from the penalty spot. The ball had previously landed in Tolga Cigerci’s hand. The hosts, who had to make do without Jacob Bruun Larsen, Grischa Prömel, Kasper Dolberg and Stanley Nsoki as well as the suspended Ozan Kabak, kept the pressure on after the goal. Kaderabek narrowly missed from the edge of the penalty area (32′).
Only five minutes later, Kramaric kept his nerve again from eleven meters. Bebou was fouled by Filip Uremovic on the counterattack. At the beginning of the second half, Hertha coach Sandro Schwarz brought in two fresh offensive players in Dodi Lukebakio and Jovetic.
Lucky for Hoffenheim after handball
Hoffenheim were lucky that Hertha didn’t get a penalty after a handball by Robert Skov (49′). A little later, Bebou completed a strong counterattack on the other side.
After that, there were more goals for TSG against weak Berliners. Dabbur did his team a disservice by grossly fouling Lukebakio just two minutes after his substitution. Ultimately, thanks to Berlin’s harmlessness, victory was no longer in danger.
For Hertha’s coach Sandro Schwarz it was also “a fully deserved defeat. We didn’t perform well and gave out gifts”. Gifts that Matarazzo and Hoffenheim accepted with kisses.
Hertha BSC in Freiburg – Hoffenheim has to go to Bremen
On Matchday 26, Hertha BSC will be fighting for important points in the relegation battle in Freiburg (Saturday, April 1st, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). A day later, competitor Hoffenheim is challenged by the promoted team from Bremen (5.30 p.m.).
