From the BZ editorial team
They wanted to “cross the finish line” (coach Pellegrino Matarazzo) and they did it. 1899 Hoffenheim wins 4: 2 (2: 1) against Union Berlin, makes the league almost perfect, can only theoretically slip to the relegation place.
The “iron” from the capital, on the other hand, now have exactly what they wanted to avoid: a dramatic long-distance duel with SC Freiburg (both 59 points/Union four goals better) on the last Bundesliga matchday for a Champions League starting place.
Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric beats Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow with balls to make it 2-0 Photo: dpa picture radio
Right at the beginning there is fire in the game and in the stands. TSG fans burn pyrotechnics, fog the stadium with smoke pots. Referee Christian Dingert interrupts for three and a half minutes.
After that, the teams neutralize each other as much as possible, and in the 23rd minute Union is caught cold: Diogo Leite fails with a header return that is too short, Bebou intervenes, plays around keeper Frederik Rönnow and scores to make it 1-0. Always this bebou! Already his fourth goal in the sixth Bundesliga game against Union.
Puffs of smoke in the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim Photo: Moritz Eden/City-Press GmbH
A little later it rings again. 36 minutes: Christoph Baumgartner falls after a duel with Leite, referee Dingert gives a penalty according to the TV pictures. A very controversial decision. Kramaric sinks the penalty to make it 2-0.
Union’s Sheraldo Becker against Hoffenheim’s Ozan Kabak Photo: dpa picture radio
Shortly before the break, there was hope again for Union and the 4,000 or so fans who had traveled with them: Danilho Doekhi reduced the lead to 1: 2 with a header after a Trimmel corner (45+4).
John Anthony Brooks versus Union’s Kevin Behrens in a header duel Photo: Photo by Daniel ROLAND / AFP
After the change, the Berliners put their foot down, but Sheraldo Becker (54, 64) missed top chances to equalize. Instead, Kramaric (90′) and Munas Dabbur (90′ + 9′) do it. understood. The hit by Aissa Laidouni (90.+5) no longer has any effect. The party in Hoffenheim can begin.