TSG relieve the pressure against Hertha
TSG Hoffenheim ensured there is still light at the end of the tunnel by beating Hertha BSC 3-1 (2-0). After a run of 14 Bundesliga matches without a win and seven losses in succession, TSG achieved the success they have long been targeting against the capital club. Andrej Kramarić fired Hoffenheim into a first-half lead with two goals from the spot (24, 37), before Ihlas Bebou sealed the victory by making it 3-0 in the 51st minute. Stevan Jovetic's goal was nothing more than a consolation (90+2).
The scenario
The division's worst home team hosted the club with the worst away record. TSG went into the match bottom of the table with 19 points, two points adrift of Hertha BSC in 15th.
Line-up
Head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo made three changes to the team that suffered an unlucky 2-1 defeat away to SC Freiburg last time out. Kevin Vogt and Christoph Baumgartner returned from injury and suspension respectively, while Andrej Kramarić also came back into the team. The trio replaced Ozan Kabak, Finn Ole Becker and Munas Dabbur.
Number of the game
There were 155 days between TSG Hoffenheim's last Bundesliga victory and their win today. Prior to the 3-1 triumph against Hertha BSC, TSG had last tasted victory on 14 October 2022 (3-0 at FC Schalke 04).
Moment of the match
The opening goal: you could almost hear the weights falling off the shoulders of the TSG fans in the 24th minute. Andrej Kramarić fired TSG in front from the penalty spot and in doing so laid the foundations for the first victory since 14 October.
Scoring streak
Andrej Kramarić seems to have a special knack for finding the net against Hertha BSC. The two times he netted were his 11th and 12th goals against the capital club. The Croat has not scored that many Bundesliga goals against any other team.
Outlook
TSG Hoffenheim will play their next competitive match two weeks from now. TSG will be away to SV Werder Bremen on 2 April, with kick-off at 17:30 CET.
Stats
Line-ups
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Vogt (Bičakčić, 83), Brooks, Akpoguma – Kadeřábek, Stiller (Delaney, 83), Geiger, Skov (Angeliño, 83) – Baumgartner (Dabbur, 69), Kramarić (Becker, 76) – Bebou
Hertha BSC: Christensen – Uremovic, Rogel, Plattenhardt (Boateng, 65) – Richter (Kenny, 65), Cigerci (Lukebakio, 46), Mittelstädt – Tousart, Serdar (Kanga, 73) – Ngankam, Niederlechner (Jovetic, 46)
Goals: 1-0 Kramarić (pen. for handball, 24), 2-0 Kramarić (pen. for a foul, 37), 3-0 Bebou (51), 3-1 Jovetic (90+2)
Red card: Dabbur (71)