TSG Hoffenheim secured their third consecutive Bundesliga victory and climbed to sixth place. The Kraichgau side deservedly triumphed in a high-scoring match against relegation-threatened VfL Wolfsburg, thanks in particular to goals from Prömel and Burger. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, remain mired at the bottom of the table.
Five days after their DFB Cup elimination at the hands of Kiel, Wolfsburg and their coach, Paul Simonis, were under pressure. With Grabara, Daghim, and Svanberg starting in place of Müller, Skov Olsen, and Pejcinovic (all on the bench), VfL started cautiously and ceded possession to the visitors from Kraichgau in the opening minutes.
Compared to their penalty shootout defeat (7-8) against St. Pauli, Hoffenheim fielded Coufal and Burger in place of Prass and Kramaric (both of whom were on the bench). Initially, Hoffenheim struggled to maintain possession without creating any real danger. Goal-scoring opportunities were scarce, but then Amoura opened the scoring for the home side.
TSG Hoffenheim secured their third consecutive Bundesliga victory and climbed to sixth place. The Kraichgau side deservedly triumphed in a high-scoring match against relegation-threatened VfL Wolfsburg, thanks in particular to goals from Prömel and Burger. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, remain mired at the bottom of the table.
Wouter Burger scored two goals on Sunday night.
Wouter Burger scored two goals on Sunday night. IMAGO/STEINSIEK.CH
Five days after their DFB Cup elimination at the hands of Kiel, Wolfsburg and their coach, Paul Simonis, were under pressure. With Grabara, Daghim, and Svanberg replacing Müller, Skov Olsen, and Pejcinovic (all on the bench), VfL started cautiously and ceded possession to the visitors from Kraichgau in the opening minutes.
In contrast to their penalty shootout defeat (7-8) to St. Pauli, Hoffenheim fielded Coufal and Burger instead of Prass and Kramaric (both on the bench). Initially, Hoffenheim struggled to maintain possession without creating any real danger. Goal-scoring opportunities were few and far between, but then Amoura opened the scoring for the home side.
Photos from the VfL Wolfsburg vs. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
After a pass from Svanberg, the Algerian ran alone towards Baumann, dribbled past him, and scored with ease (14′). The visitors responded with equal efficiency, leveling the score in the 31st minute with their first real chance. Coufal’s cross was masterfully controlled by Burger, who fired into the bottom right corner to equalize (31′). Aside from these two goals, there were no other noteworthy plays, so both teams can be proud of their excellent finishing.
At the start of the second half, TSG coach Christian Ilzer brought on, among others, Kramaric, who immediately demonstrated his great quality. Just five minutes had passed when the Croatian delivered a perfect cross to Prömel, a key player in Hoffenheim’s first goal (50′).
From that moment on, the game became much more entertaining. Wolfsburg remained unfazed, especially Amoura. He was constantly involved and also assisted Kumbedi on the goal he set up for the Algerian in the 56th minute. Baumann couldn’t stop Amoura’s powerful shot under the crossbar, allowing him to complete his brace and bring Wolfsburg back into the game (56′).
Wolfsburg’s attempt to mount a comeback failed again. VfL Wolfsburg were looking for more, attacking again through Amoura, but this time Baumann won the one-on-one duel (61′). The next goal came at the other end. This time, Prömel, who was starting in the Bundesliga for the first time since his cruciate ligament injury in September 2014, provided the assist.
Burger’s low cross was finished by Burger himself, who curled the ball with the outside of his left foot into the top corner, restoring Hoffenheim’s lead (62′). This time, the goal seemed to affect Wolfsburg. Aside from a shot by Koulierakis (65′), Simonis’s men created virtually no scoring opportunities. In the 84th minute, substitute Bebou scored to make it 4-2, but referee Frank Willenborg disallowed the goal after a lengthy review: Bebou was offside (88′).
VfL Wolfsburg lost again, which understandably increased the pressure on coach Simonis. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, took advantage of Frankfurt’s slip-up in Heidenheim and climbed to sixth place with their third consecutive Bundesliga victory.
