With a 4-2 (2-1) win against Union Berlin on Saturday (May 20th, 2023), TSG 1899 Hoffenheim made it almost perfect to stay up in the Bundesliga. The goals for Hoffenheim came from Ihlas Bebou (22nd minute), double striker Andrej Kramaric (36’/90′) and Munas Dabbur (90’+8′). Union’s Danilho Doekhi (45′) and Aissa Laidouni (90′ + 4) shortened twice.
Hoffenheim now has 35 points and is four points ahead of the relegation rank before the last matchday. The hosts jumped up to 13th place in the table. Even if Stuttgart won on Sunday, it would be three points and 24 goals ahead – that’s impossible to gamble away.
“The dams almost broke, although we only managed to stay up in the league on matchday 33,” said Hoffenheim’s sports director Alexander Rosen on the sports show microphone. “With what we want to stand for, it’s not our claim.”But it happens year after year that teams get into such situations. The team deserved it all the more because they accepted and survived this situation.
Union Berlin, on the other hand, has to fight for the Champions League until the last matchday. The Berliners are currently in fourth place with 59 points, tied with SC Freiburg in fifth place. “It’s annoying when you see the gifts we gave Hoffenheim today”said Union coach Urs Fischer.
Unions Leite helps TSG take the lead
Both teams started cautiously, the teams were solid on defense. So nothing dangerous happened until the 22nd minute – then Union Berlin helped the TSG lead properly: Diego Leite headed back to goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow far too short. Bebou splashed in between, rounded Rönnow and shot in to make it 1-0.
Ten minutes before the break, referee Christian Dingert was in focus. After studying the video, the referee decided on a penalty for Hoffenheim: Leite had stopped Christoph Baumgartner – a controversial decision. Kramaric didn’t care, he converted for sure. Just before the break, Union struck from a corner when Doekhi headed in for the connection.
Kramaric decides the game
After the break, Union took control of the game. The Berliners tried to build up pressure while the hosts counterattacked. Sheraldo Becker missed several opportunities to equalize (55th/63rd).
After that, hardly anything happened for a long time, TSG cleverly defended the already rather weak attacking efforts of the Unioner. Shortly before the end, substitute Dabbur dribbled into the penalty area and served Kramaric in an exemplary manner. Laidouni shortened again, Dabbur finally got the final score with the last counterattack.
Hoffenheim visiting Stuttgart
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim concludes the season away in Stuttgart (Saturday, May 27th, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). At the same time, Union Berlin welcomes SV Werder Bremen.
