22nd matchday
Sinsheim (AP) – Benjamin Hübner could hardly save himself after his goal from all the congratulations and hugs from his teammates at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The captain helped his team win against Arminia Bielefeld for the first time after four defeats and thus out of the crisis.
The long-injured 32-year-old was the celebrated man and pioneer in the well-deserved 2-0 (1-0) of the Kraichgau. In front of 10,000 spectators in Sinsheim, Hübner gave coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s team the lead in the 22nd minute. Georginio Rutter also scored his sixth goal of the season (51st).
Hübner celebrated goal scorer after a long break
“I’m super happy,” said goal scorer Hübner in the DAZN interview. “I think if we played better on the counterattack, it could have been even higher. But for today we’re all very happy.” The contract extension was not an issue for him that evening. “I was more concerned with getting fit again, and that’s what I did,” said Hübner.
The TSG defender only made his comeback in January after a break of more than a year and a half due to an ankle injury and extended his contract last week. With the success in the table, Hoffenheim improved to sixth place and are well in the race for a Europa League spot. For Bielefeld ended a series of six games without defeat, as table 15. Arminia is still in the relegation battle.
After nine years in the Bundesliga, head coach Frank Kramer returned to Hoffenheim for the first time.
Space creates constant danger
Christoph Baumgartner replaced the hosts Andre Kramaric, who has been infected again with the corona virus, in the offensive control center. Hoeneß had vehemently demanded a win after the recent setbacks, so his team put the pressure on right from the start. So Rutter missed a big header chance after 14 minutes.
A lot went through the 19-year-old whirlwind, but Hoffenheim always looked for David space on the left wing. When the national player was on the right for once, Hübner benefited from his cross and his own assertiveness – and he was lucky: his header bounced off the crossbar and off the back of Arminia keeper Stefan Ortega into the goal.
Rutter makes the decision
For a long time, Bielefeld, who were forced into the defensive and had to do without Patrick Wimmer, who was suspended, were only busy with cleaning up. Janni Serra had the only chance in the first half when keeper Oliver Baumann and Kevin Vogt just cleared the ball in his 250th Bundesliga game for TSG.
Frenchman Rutter quickly cleared things up after the break when he threw the ball into the net from six yards out. Bielefeld simply didn’t come up with enough ideas on the offensive to seriously put the opponent under pressure. TSG remains undefeated in their sixth duel against East Westphalia.