Second game, first win: coach Andre Breitenreiter celebrated a successful home start in the Bundesliga with TSG Hoffenheim.
The Kraichgauer turned an early two-goal deficit and won on the second day of the game through a goal by Munas Dabbur (88th) 3-2 (2-2) against VfL Bochum. While Hoffenheim climbs into the middle of the table, Bochum are stuck in the bottom of the table with zero points.
Christoph Baumgartner (14th), Ozan Kabak (23rd) with a header and Dabbur scored for Hoffenheim in front of 17,005 spectators in Sinsheim. Simon Zoller (10th/13th) gave the guests from Bochum an early lead with a brace. In addition, Manuel Riemann saved a penalty kick from Andrej Kramaric (59th). Hoffenheim was last without a win in the first two games of the season in 2016/2017.
Breitenreiter changed his team four positions compared to the 3-1 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Dennis Geiger, Jacob Bruun Larsen and the two additions Angeliño and Stanley Nsoki moved into the starting XI.
Hoffenheim immediately tried to take control of the game, but Bochum waited for moments to switch and took the lead early on. After a long ball from Kevin Stöger, Philipp Hofmann put the ball across in the six-yard box, where Zoller (10′) only had to put his foot down. Two minutes later, Zoller increased after a great cross from Stöger.
Baumgartner and Kabak bring Hoffenheim back
But Hoffenheim, who tried a lot on the wings, were not impressed and came back with their first real attack. The hosts penetrated the penalty area with a great combination game, Riemann was only able to parry Kramaric’s shot forward and Baumgartner (14′) pushed the ball over the line. Shortly thereafter, Kabak (23′) equalized with a header and finally ended Bochum’s urge phase, which from then on couldn’t really get into the duels.
As a result, things calmed down again and Hoffenheim took command. Nsoki (33′) and Geiger (35′) missed their long-range shots, Kramaric missed the lead just before the break (42′).
After the break, both teams initially neutralized each other until Baumgartner was brought down in the penalty area. But Kramaric’s penalty was saved by Riemann (59′). Hoffenheim continued to push for the opening goal (64th), while Bochum increasingly relied on counterattacks. Riemann (72′) was just able to fend off a free kick from Robert Skov.
