Borussia Dortmund also won the ninth competitive game in the 2023 calendar year and at least temporarily took over the top of the table from Bayern Munich. Against TSG Hoffenheim, who have now been without a win for twelve games, there was a 1-0 away draw (1-0).
Julian Brandt scored the winning goal after a free kick from Marco Reus (43rd).
Referee Martin Petersen caused a stir, denying Hoffenheim a penalty in the second half despite a clear contact in the penalty area. This caused violent protests on Hoffenheim’s side after the game.
In the 2nd minute of the game, a Hoffenheim ball boy caused a curious game interruption when he played a ball that had not yet crossed the out-of-bounds line.
Bayern can follow suit in the home game against Union Berlin (5:30 p.m.) on Sunday and overtake Borussia with a win.
TSG Hoffenheim – Borussia Dortmund: The analysis
Edin Terzic made five positions in his team, with the injured Karim Adeyemi replacing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens on the wing. However, the guests found it difficult offensively against Hoffenheim, who were defending in a 5-3-2, and apart from an early chance by Bynoe-Gittens (4th), they had almost nothing to offer. There was a lack of dynamism and sparking ideas in forward gear.
Conversely, TSG, where veteran Sebastian Rudy played in defensive midfield from the start, was at least equal, defended closely and very attentively and also knew how to playfully overcome Dortmund’s pressing. Ozan Kabak, who headed over the goal from close range (15′) had the best chance – Gregor Kobel had his fingertips on before that.
This same Kabak injured himself after half an hour in a foul against Marco Reus and had to go out. This led to a break in the hosts’ game, BVB now much more dangerous: Keeper Baumann made great saves several times, but was powerless at 0-1 from close range. Conversely, BVB could have led even higher in the person of Reus and Marius Wolf.
TSG with more vigor after the break and more offensive play again before referee Martin Petersen took center stage for a few minutes. First, he checked an alleged foul by Emre Can and ruled against a penalty before he previously denied a goal by Marius Wolf for a foul.
The game was more open as a result, both teams clearing midfield faster and giving the opposing goalkeepers opportunities to distinguish themselves. BVB still have the upper hand, but couldn’t calm down the game and didn’t finish the counterattack well.
On the other side, the blue and whites kept the BVB defense swimming, but were unable to convert the best chances into goals. Terzic reacted and switched defensively for the final phase. Dortmund remained shaky until the final whistle, but brought the three over time.
TSG Hoffenheim – Borussia Dortmund: The data for the game
Gates: 0-1 Brandt (43′)
Dortmund celebrated four wins in a row against TSG Hoffenheim for the first time in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund also won the seventh Bundesliga game in 2023 – that is a club record, only in 2012 did BVB start a calendar year with as many wins. At that time, BVB became German champions for the last time at the end of the season.
Dortmund’s Brandt has been directly involved in at least one goal in each of his last five games in the Bundesliga (four goals, one assist).
Dortmund managed the ninth clean sheet in this Bundesliga season – that is the best in the league together with SC Freiburg and VfL Wolfsburg.
TSG Hoffenheim has been without a win in twelve Bundesliga games (D2 N10), which is the longest dry spell shared by the Kraichgau team: At the beginning of 2009 there were also twelve games without a win.
TSG Hoffenheim – Borussia Dortmund: The votes
Pellegrino Matarazzo (TSG Hoffenheim coach): “We played a good game, and the goalkeeping was also very good. I particularly liked the second half. We’ll take the performance with us. We’ll keep working to improve our performance.”
Edin Terzic (Borussia Dortmund coach): “It was the hard-fought and close game we expected. From the 25th minute we played a really good away game until the break – and could have led more. It was more open in the second half. It was tight for us in some scenes, but we also had a lot of chances. Overall I see it as a deserved win against a strong team.”
The star of the game: Gregor Kobel (BVB)
Confirmed his form, which has been excellent for weeks, against Hoffenheim. Strong save against Baumgartner after 16 minutes when he cleared before Kabak was ready to shoot. Was called for more often in the second period, also because Hoffenheim invested more in the offensive game. Thanks to good saves, he kept his clean slate.
The flop of the match: Ihlas Bebou (TSG Hoffenheim)
In contrast to his neighbors Baumgartner, Kramaric and later Dolberg, the TSG attacker was not involved in Hoffenheim’s offensive game at all. Recorded the fewest ball contacts and passes of all starting eleven players, and not a single shot in the direction of Kobel’s box. Was redeemed and substituted by coach Matarazzo after 65 minutes.
The referee: Martin Petersen
Was briefed by VAR on Emre Can’s touch against Kevin Akpoguma in the box and watched the scene. When everyone was already expecting a penalty kick, Petersen took back the previously whistled penalty kick – an incomprehensible decision in view of the television pictures. Taking back Marius Wolf’s goal after a foul in the build-up, on the other hand, was clear and correct.
