The German championship was no longer an issue for the professionals at Borussia Dortmund.
After the bitter 1-2 (0-1) defeat at TSG Hoffenheim, no player, including Niko Kovac, talked much about the upcoming title crowning, which FC Bayern was able to complete on Sunday after the BVB defeat, four match days before the end of the Bundesliga.
“With the second penalty you lose. It’s a shame for us, but I don’t think it’s undeserved,” said Kovac after the second defeat in a row. Borussia is dragging its way towards second place, and there is nothing left for the team around captain Nico Schlotterbeck to win in the cup competitions either.
Previously, BVB had only lost twice in the first 28 league games against the primus from Munich. This time Andrej Kramaric made the decision in favor of the hosts with two hand penalties converted according to video evidence.
Chicer: Kramaric “absolute legend”
“He’s not just very, very important from the point. I would be very happy if we stayed together,” said Hoffenheim’s sports director Andreas Schicker about the Croatian double goalscorer at Sky. “I know he’s a good player, otherwise we wouldn’t have made him an offer. The direction is right. He’s an absolute legend,” added Schicker.
Kramaric (42./90.+8) scored the TSG goals in front of 30,150 spectators. Substitute striker Serhou Guirassy (87th) made it 1-1 for BVB. “I want to go to the Champions League,” said Kramaric after his two goals.
Süle causes a penalty and has to go out
Hoffenheim, previously winless in four games, almost got off to a dream start. After just 16 seconds, Fisnik Asllani shot powerfully at the goal from a tight angle, and Niklas Süle cleared it for a corner. The 30-year-old defender was back in the BVB starting eleven after more than two months – and despite a solid performance, he became a tragic figure.
During a Hoffenheim attack shortly before half-time, Süle got stuck in the grass, fell and apparently injured his knee. It was also unfortunate for him and his BVB that the falling defender got the ball on his arm after a Kramaric shot in the penalty area.
Kramaric ends the goal drought
According to video evidence, referee Daniel Siebert decided on a hand penalty, which Kramaric converted half way up on the right. It was the Croatian offensive star’s eleventh goal of the season, who had not scored in the previous six games.
The half-time lead was okay because the hosts, who pressed hard, had more of the game and chances than Dortmund, who were waiting for the counterattack. Tim Lemperle hit the crossbar in the early stages, and a direct shot from Kramaric was parried by BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Little came from the guests who came with a lot of fan support. Maximilian Beier’s header attempt was the only halfway viable opportunity in the first half, in which Dortmund only had two shots on goal and Hoffenheim had ten.
Guirassy arrives after an hour
BVB coach Niko Kovac initially decided not to make any personnel changes. Only Rami Bensebaini came into the game after Süle’s exit; he moved to the left in the defensive back three. Waldemar Anton took over the Süle role on the right, captain Nico Schlotterbeck rotated to the center.
Dortmund came out of the break a little more energetic, but remained harmless offensively. Kovac finally reacted and after an hour of play, BVB’s most dangerous striker was allowed to replace Fábio Silva in Guirassy.
Final point by Kramaric
The closer it got towards the end, the more BVB pushed for the equalizer, but the black and yellow team lacked ideas against Hoffenheim’s defensively disciplined team. Guirassy then had a special moment when he scored his 14th goal of the season from 17 meters into the bottom left corner. National goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was powerless.
Kramaric scored the final point after Julian Ryerson touched the ball minimally with his hand and Siebert again decided on a penalty based on video evidence.
While Dortmund is heading towards the runner-up position, the Kraichgauer team, who now have 54 points, are once again fully involved in the race for a place in the Champions League.
Diagnosis there: Süle can hope for BVB’s farewell on the pitch
Breathe a sigh of relief for injured BVB defender Niklas Süle: Contrary to what was initially feared, the ex-national player’s unfortunate performance in Hoffenheim will probably not be his last appearance for Borussia Dortmund. According to the club, Süle only suffered a minor knee injury. “The central defender will most likely be available to Borussia Dortmund again at the end of the season,” said BVB.
Süle injured his knee shortly before half-time and, to make matters worse, also caused a penalty. After the slip, the 30-year-old fended off a shot with his hand at his old place of work. Andrej Kramaric took advantage of the penalty to make it 1-0, and in the end it was 2-1 for Hoffenheim.
Ricken initially feared more serious injuries
At first it looked as if the handball could have been Süle’s last action in the Borussia jersey. Sports director Lars Ricken said after the game: “There is already a suspicion that he was seriously injured. He is sitting in the dressing room with a bandage on his knee.”
Now it is clear: If everything goes well, Süle will have a chance for a more successful farewell after four years at BVB.
SINSHEIM/DORTMUND (dpa-AFX)
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