1899 Hoffenheim celebrated an enormously important away win at Werder Bremen in the relegation battle of the Bundesliga.
In the 2-1 win, Andrej Kramaric (50′) and Christoph Baumgartner (52′) shot out the win with a double strike after the break. Amos Pieper (76th) could only shorten. Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team now have 25 points. As 15th in the table, the cushion on the relegation place and Hertha BSC is now three points. It was the second success in a row for TSG. Werder Bremen remains eleventh in the table with 31 points and has been waiting for a three-pointer for four games.
Duksch lets Bremen chances lie
Hoffenheim got off to a better start in the game. In the 14th minute, Ihlas Bebou appeared free in front of the goal after a nice combination, Bremen’s Marco Friedl was able to block the ball in dire need with a tackle.
1899 retained control as a result, but without getting any further chances. Bremen was noticeably timid as a home team. That changed in the 32nd minute. Werder had a huge chance out of nowhere, but goalkeeper Oliver Baumann made a splendid save against Marvin Duksch.
That was the starting signal for an extremely aggressive phase for coach Ole Werner’s team. And again Duksch was in the middle. His chances were thwarted first by Kevin Vogt and then again by Baumann.
Double strike after the break
After the break then the shock for the home team. After a double strike by Andrej Kramaric (50th) and Christoph Baumgartner (52nd), Hoffenheim suddenly led 2-0.
Bremen only woke up when TSG switched to administration mode and left the midfield to their opponents. In the 74th minute Niclas Füllkrug failed with a missed direct acceptance, but two minutes later Amos Pieper was there. He had only recently been substituted.
A jolt went through the Bremen team. Attack after attack rolled towards the Hoffenheim goal. The best chances were missed by Maximilian Philipp, who first put the ball just wide of the corner and then hit the post in injury time. But the TSG brought the lead in the end over time. At the very end, referee Sascha Stegemann even gave Werder a penalty, but he had to take it back after being flagged for offside.
Hoffenheim expects Schalke for the basement duel
On Matchday 27, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will once again be fighting for important points in the relegation battle against their direct competitor Schalke 04 (Sunday, April 9th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.). Bremen is challenged away in Mainz the day before (3:30 p.m.).