Unbeaten run undone

Marco Pezzaiuoli made just one change to the side that lost 2-1 to Mainz 05, as Vedad Ibisevic dropped to the bench to be replaced by Gylfi Sigurdsson. Ryan Babel slotted into the lone role up front, while the Icelandic free kick specialist took over on the left hand side of the three-pronged attack. Matthias Jaissle and Marvin Compper continued in the centre of defence despite Isaac Vorsah recovering from injury in time for the match. Outside of that the team remain unchanged.

1899 lack bite

Hoffenheim began hesitantly against the team bottom of the table at the start of Matchday 25 and the home side we the side to create the first real opening of the match after seven minutes. Igor de Camargo was the creator outmuscled Ibertsberger down the left flank before laying the ball back to Arango who took a touch on the edge of the box before shooting wide with his left-footed effort. The first 15 minutes 1899 were facing a similar story to their recent match, as they controlled possession whilst giving the ball away cheaply when trying to bring the ball forward. Babel, Sigurdsson and Vukcevic were struggling to get the ball, while their movement up front was poor. Meanwhile, Gladbach were well and truly winning the midfield battle, but goal scoring chances for both sides were few and far between.

The Borussen certainly weren't playing like a team in the relegation battle. De Camargo then missed a fantastic opportunity to put the home side in front when ghosted in at the back post, but Tom Starke was on hand to keep the effort at bay after the striker miss hit the ball. On the other side Babel and Salihovic played their way through the Gladbach backline, before Marco Reus tested Starke from distance to win a corner. The only other chance of the half fell once again to de Camargo, but he again failed to convert despite being unmarked in front of goal. 1899's performance was lacking any sort of punch as they went into the break and had work to do in the second half.

Gladbach gets to grips with the game

There were no changes at half time, but two minutes after the break and the home side had the ball in the back of the net. The celebrations were short lived, though, as the assistant had flagged de Camargo offside after he poked home from close range. 1899 could count themselves lucky on that occasion, but it gave Gladbach the impetus to push forward in search of the opening goal. Moments later they almost had it in the most fortuitous of circumstances when Starke came off his line to collect a cross unsuccessfully. Alaba looked to clear the ball, but instead hit his own goalkeeper before, fortunately, watching the ball drop just wide of the post.

Then the home sides persistence paid off as they finally got the breakthrough albeit from the penalty spot. An onrushing Starke got himself in all sorts of trouble before bringing down De Camargo in the box and Filip Daems stepped up to slot home the spot kick, despite Starke getting a touch, giving the home side the lead. The goal served as a springboard for Gladbach as they pressed on, while Hoffenheim seemed to fall into the distance, ultimately allowing the home side to extend their lead from another set piece in the 70th minute. De Camargo found himself unmarked in the penalty area once again and converted the corner with a powerful header to make 1899 pay for their lacklustre defending. The Belgian striker could have made it three had it not been for the heroics of Starke after a lightning quick counter attack from the hosts. Substitute Roberto Firmino went for a consolation effort by Bailly in goal, who had had little to do all match, was equal to the effort, before Babel's effort with time winding down went wide of the post. It was only the second time this season that Gladbach had won at home and Hoffenheim will need to pick themselves up after a truly disappointing performance.

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