1899 Hoffenheim prevailed in the battle for a Champions League place: The opening game of Matchday 26 saw Julian Nagelsmann’s side overcome Hertha BSC 3-1, with the help of a goal from Germany International Niklas Süle, meaning that they also at least temporarily go third in the table. Süle’s 76th minute goal from long range that made it 2-1 to Hoffenheim also happened to come on his 100th Bundesliga appearance. The first-half featured a Peter Pekarik goal for Hertha (32’), whilst Andrej Kramaric converted a penalty shortly before the half for the equaliser (39’).
Hertha start strong
In the Olympiastadion, Berlin started off the better of the teams in front of 42,400 of their own fans by putting Hoffenheim under a lot of pressure from the get-go. But Hoffenheim were equal to the task, and calmly played their way out from the back, which led to the first chance of the evening, when Maximilian Mittelstädt had to clear a headed ball off the line. Sandro Wagner required some medical attention on his finger shortly thereafter, but was ultimately able to play on.
Hertha’s first chance came after 16 minutes when Alexander Esswein, who started in front of Genki Haraguchi, pinged a low cross into the middle of the box where Salomon Kalou met the ball ten metres out, but the ball ended up in the arms of Oliver Baumann.
Pekarik scores – Kramaric answers with a penalty
Pekarik, who was in a forward position, had a slice of luck in the 32nd minute. His shot beat goalkeeper Baumann at his near post, but Kramaric slotted a penalty away only seven minutes later, which was awarded as a result of a Mittelstädt handball.
Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann made two changes to his starting eleven following their last match, which they won 1-0 against Bayer Leverkusen. U21 Germany international Nadiem Amiri, along with Kevin Vogt, started out on the pitch for Hoffenheim, whilst Adam Szalai and Ermin Bicakcic were dropped for the game in favour of them.
Süle scores from long range
1899 Hoffenheim prevailed in the battle for a Champions League place: The opening game of Matchday 26 saw Julian Nagelsmann’s side overcome Hertha BSC 3-1, with the help of a goal from Germany International Niklas Süle, meaning that they also at least temporarily go third in the table. Süle’s 76th minute goal from long range that made it 2-1 to Hoffenheim also happened to come on his 100th Bundesliga appearance. The first-half featured a Peter Pekarik goal for Hertha (32’), whilst Andrej Kramaric converted a penalty shortly before the half for the equaliser (39’).
Hertha start strong
In the Olympiastadion, Berlin started off the better of the teams in front of 42,400 of their own fans by putting Hoffenheim under a lot of pressure from the get-go. But Hoffenheim were equal to the task, and calmly played their way out from the back, which led to the first chance of the evening, when Maximilian Mittelstädt had to clear a headed ball off the line. Sandro Wagner required some medical attention on his finger shortly thereafter, but was ultimately able to play on.
Hertha’s first chance came after 16 minutes when Alexander Esswein, who started in front of Genki Haraguchi, pinged a low cross into the middle of the box where Salomon Kalou met the ball ten metres out, but the ball ended up in the arms of Oliver Baumann.
Pekarik scores – Kramaric answers with a penalty
Pekarik, who was in a forward position, had a slice of luck in the 32nd minute. His shot beat goalkeeper Baumann at his near post, but Kramaric slotted a penalty away only seven minutes later, which was awarded as a result of a Mittelstädt handball.
Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann made two changes to his starting eleven following their last match, which they won 1-0 against Bayer Leverkusen. U21 Germany international Nadiem Amiri, along with Kevin Vogt, started out on the pitch for Hoffenheim, whilst Adam Szalai and Ermin Bicakcic were dropped for the game in favour of them.
Süle scores from long range
Hoffenheim were testing the Hertha defence, creating chance after chance. Kramaric’s effort cannoned off the crossbar in the 66th minute, and his subsequent volley then ricocheted off the post and out.
The 76th minute saw Süle score with a beautiful shot from long range, and on his 100th game too. He also scored in the reverse fixture, which was won by Hoffenheim thanks to his lone goal in a 1-0 effort.
