Hoffenheim boost Champions League hopes after completing double over HSV

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Hoffenheim won the reverse fixture 4-1, but HSV presented themselves very well in the early exchange here. However, they went a goal behind with Hoffenheim’s first real chance of the game.

Felix Asllani, who scored the fourth goal as a substitute back in November, opened the scoring here with a brilliant finish from Vladimir Coufal’s delivery. The sought-after attacker has now reached double digits in his debut Bundesliga season.

The hosts still continued to search for clear-cut chances as they produced a much better performance compared to much of the last couple of months. They did find a way back into the game, although they were unfortunate with Robert Schröder’s call to keep Oliver Baumann in the game.

Hoffenheim’s goalkeeper clearly stopped Robert Glatzel with a foul as the last man, but the referee decided against a double punishment. Glatzel converted the resulting penalty-kick as he finally scored in back-to-back Bundesliga games.

However, Hoffenheim still playing with eleven men proved decisive when Tim Lemperle also completed the honour of scoring against HSV both home and away. The 24-year-old scored his eighth goal of the season from close range on the stroke of half-time.

In contrast, Christian Ilzer’s men managed to keep the game uneventful after a couple of chances at either end in the first five minutes. Bakery Jatta failed to hit his free header on target with one of the rare chances for Merlin Polzin’s side.

Hoffenheim climbed over Stuttgart before Sebastian Hoeneß’s men play Werder Bremen tomorrow. HSV are fortunate with St. Pauli’s loss in Heidenheim as they’re still five points clear of the relegation playoff spot despite one win in ten.