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TSG triumph in Berlin
Personnel & tactics:
Head coach Sebastian Hoeness made one change to the starting XI that played out a 0-0 draw with Arminia Bielefeld last time out. Christoph Baumgartner returned after serving his suspension and replaced Ihlas Bebou. Kasim Adams, Kevin Vogt and Stefan Posch formed an unchanged back three in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, while Mijat Gaćinović and Marco John kept their places on the flanks. Sebastian Rudy partnered Diadie Samassékou in central midfielder, with Baumgartner slotting in behind Andrej Kramarić and Munas Dabbur.
TSG made a double substitution in the 61st minute: Håvard Nordtveit replaced Vogt, who had landed awkwardly on his shoulder, while Dabbur made way for Ihlas Bebou. Shortly before the final whistle, Bogarde came on for Baumgartner (88) and Sargis Adamyan replaced Kramarić (90).
Moment of the match:
The 12th minute: Hertha were awarded a penalty kick for a foul by Adams on Cordoba. Piatek stepped up to take it and aimed for the bottom left corner but Baumann got down quickly and made a strong save. Hoffenheim subsequently recovered and took the three points. It was the eighth time the TSG shot-stopper has saved a Bundesliga penalty since the start of the 2011/12 season. Only Bernd Leno has kept out more spot-kicks during this period (nine).
Number of the game: 72
Andrej Kramarić scored his 71st and 72nd goals in the Bundesliga. The TSG striker's brace saw him move level with Ivica Olic to become the joint highest-scoring Croat in German top-flight history.
Line-ups:
Hertha BSC: Schwolow – Pekarik (Zeefuik, 46), Stark, Alderete, Mittelstädt (Netz, 60) – Tousart – Darida (Lukebakio, 60), Guendouzi – Cunha – Cordoba, Piatek (Redan, 72)
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Adams, Vogt (Nordtveit, 61), Posch – Gaćinović, Rudy, Samassékou, John – Baumgartner (Bogarde, 88) – Kramarić (Adamyan, 90), Dabbur (Bebou, 61)
Goals: 0-1 Rudy (33), 0-2 Kramarić (68), 0-3 Kramarić (88)
Incidents of note: Baumann saves penalty from Piatek (12)
Match highlights
Adams brings down Cordoba in the penalty area. Piatek takes the ensuing spot-kick, but Baumann goes the right way and makes a top stop. Still 0-0.
TSG seriously threaten for the first time. Gaćinović fizzes a cross into the middle and although Dabbur does not manage to get on the end of it, Kramarić does. The shot is blocked, however.
Brilliant play from Baumgartner, who picks out Rudy with a pass. His shot from 15 metres out takes a slight deflection and flies into the corner of the net.
Big chance to level the scores directly after the restart: Cordoba meets a Mittelstädt cross with a header from close range, but it flies over.
Pivotal: John cuts a lovely cross back from the left flank. Samassékou has a go from distance but his shot lands at the feet of Kramarić, who turns towards goal and slots the ball into the bottom right corner to put Hoffenheim 2-0 ahead.
TSG go close following a clearance: Bebou pulls away from his marker and, despite being under pressure, gets a shot away. But it unfortunately hits the bar.
Kramaric fires a perfect free-kick from 18 metres into the top left corner of the goal. A dream strike to seal the win!
Match facts and statistics »
