Comfortable win against Cologne
TSG Hoffenheim started the second half of their Bundesliga season on a winning note by beating 1. FC Cologne 3-0 (2-0) on Bundesliga Matchday 18. Two Andrej Kramarić penalties and a Christoph Baumgartner strike sealed the win for the Kraichgau club, whose goalkeeper Oliver Baumann saved an Anthony Modeste spot-kick to ensure a third consecutive clean sheet.
Personnel & tactics:
Head coach Sebastian Hoeness made two changes to the starting XI that won 3-0 away to Hertha BSC last time out, Håvard Nordtveit and Ihlas Bebou replacing Kevin Vogt and Munas Dabbur. Kasim Adams, Nordtveit and Stefan Posch formed the back three in front of goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, while Mijat Gaćinović (right) and Marco John (left) kept their positions on the flanks. Sebastian Rudy again partnered Diadie Samassékou in central midfield, with Bebou slotting into a flexible front three alongside Baumgartner and Andrej Kramarić.
Pavel Kadeřábek made his long-awaited comeback in the 75th minute. The Czechia international replaced Gaćinović on the right flank and made his first appearance in 113 days. The second substitution saw Sargis Adamyan replace Bebou in attack. With almost 82 minutes on the clock, double goalscorer Kramarić was withdrawn. Munas Dabbur came on in his stead. Samassékou then made way for Melayro Bogarde in midfield in the closing stages (88).
Moment of the match:
The 79th minute: Oliver Baumann saved a penalty kick from Anthony Modeste to kill off any hopes of a comeback.
Number of the game: 74
Andrej Kramarić scored his 73rd and 74th Bundesliga goals from the penalty spot. The brace took the TSG striker past Ivica Olic and he is now the top Croatian goalscorer in German top-flight history.
Line-ups:
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann – Adams, Nordtveit, Posch – Gaćinović, Rudy, Samassékou (Bogarde, 88), Gaćinović (Kadeřábek, 75) – Baumgartner – Bebou (Adamyan, 75), Kramarić (Dabbur, 82)
1. FC Cologne: Horn – Cestic (Mere, 30), Bornauw, Horn – Ehizibue (Thielmann, 30), Skhiri, Hector, Katterbach (Jakobs, 61) – Wolf, Drexler – Duda (Modeste, 61)
Goals: 1-0 Kramarić (penalty, 7), 2-0 Baumgartner (27), 3-0 Kramarić (penalty)
Notable incidents: Baumann saves penalty from Modeste (78)