Cologne (AP) – After many congratulations and pats on the back, Stefan Posch happily rushed into the dressing room. The “Cologne specialist” continued the winning streak of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and created a good atmosphere in the team.
“The boys are exuberant and should be happy and enjoy it,” said coach Sebastian Hoeneß after the 1-0 (0-0) win at 1. FC Köln and the jump to a place in the Champions League. Defender Posch scored the goal of the day in the RheinEnergieStadion, scoring his second goal in his 101st Bundesliga game – again against Cologne. In the first leg he scored to make it 5-0.
“Cologne suits me. It’s a great feeling,” said the Austrian international, who not only led his team to their fourth win in a row, but also scored the goal for their eighth win in a row against the Rhinelanders with his header in the 61st minute. “We practice set pieces and I do a lot of header training – that was rewarded today. That was a great cross from David Raum, I had good airborne action and it was an important goal,” said Posch.
jump to fourth place
The 24-year-old was even happier about jumping into fourth place. “We’re doing everything we can to stay up front,” said the defender ahead of next Saturday’s top game against leaders Bayern Munich.
The left winger space had once again done the preparatory work for the winning goal. The cross specialist, who was signed from Fürth at the beginning of the season, has already had nine assists this season and was again one of the most conspicuous players in the guest team on Sunday. “We’re glad we pulled the thing away. These are these awesome, disgusting victories that make you extremely happy,” said the 23-year-old.
FC coach Steffen Baumgart had guessed that Raum could become a key player. “We knew that a situation like this could happen. In some games he gets ten to twelve crosses into the penalty area. In this position he is currently the best player we have in the Bundesliga,” said the head coach after the 600th minute. Bundesliga defeat of 1. FC Köln.
The showdown with Bayern will show how good Hoffenheim really are. After four competitive defeats in a row, coach Hoeneß’s team has now won four. “We have to be well prepared for Bayern. If we want to get something there, we have to be top in all areas,” said the coach.