FIRST TEAM

03/18/2023

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)

Match highlights

20. Min.

Huge opportunity to take the lead

Unbelievable! Vogt plays an outstanding pass from the halfway line towards Kramarić, who controls the ball nicely but sees his shot very well saved by Christensen.

25. Min.

TSG lead!

IMPORTANT! Kramarić remains ice-cool from the spot and chips the ball down the middle. Our TSG lead!

32. Min.

Almost 2-0

That was close! Skov delivers the corner into the box, where it takes a deflection off a Hertha player. Kadeřábek pulls the trigger from the edge of the box but the shot misses the target by a matter of centimetres.

37. Min.

Krama clinical once again!

There's another penalty and Kramarić steps up again. This time he fires the ball into the right corner, leaving Christensen no chance once again. His 12th (!) goal against Hertha.

49. Min.

Baumann intervenes!

The first big chance for the men from Berlin: Serdar chips the ball into the box and Lukebakio heads goalbound from close range but Baumann is on hand to make a very strong save. Important!

51. Min.

Bebou makes it 3-0

Ihlas Bebou wins the aerial battle, nutmegs the next opposition player and then keeps his cool in front of the keeper to make it 3-0!

63. Min.

Huge chance for Stiller

Angelo Stiller plucks up his courage and shoots from around 22 metres out; Christensen sees the strike late but makes a crazy reflex save to parry the ball to safety.