TSG Hoffenheim continue to be the fearsome opponent of 1. The Kraichgau side also won their seventh match in a row – the Geißböcke’ run of success came to an abrupt end.
TSG coach Sebastian Hoeneß, who had to do without eleven players during the international break, made three changes to his starting eleven compared to the 1-3 defeat in Stuttgart: Posch and Akpoguma started for Vogt and Richards, and Baumgartner returned after muscular problems and replaced Adamyan.
Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart was also forced to rotate due to the international matches: Compared to the 3:1 against promoted Fürth, Özcan and Thielmann started for Skhiri, who had a knee injury, and Duda. In addition, captain Hector called in sick on match day, with Ehizibue starting at left back in his place.
The TSG played in an unusual three-man or five-man backline with Grillitsch as the central player. The idea behind it: not to allow Cologne’s combination play in the middle. And the plan worked. Right from the start, FC struggled to build up the game and had hardly any ideas to get forward. In the 8th minute, Czichos also made a capital mistake when he played an arcing shot into the penalty area from outside the box right to the feet of Kramaric. Horn, however, saved FC from an early deficit with a strong save.
As a result, the Geißböcke found their way into the game a little better, but only had a half-chance through Andersson. Hoffenheim then made it 1-0 when Kramaric was free in Cologne’s half and played at the right time into the path of Bebou, who got around Horn and just had to slot in (31). The visitors tried to respond quickly, but Modeste was unable to put a Kainz cross into the net (39th). And so Hoffenheim went into the dressing room with a slender lead.
TSG double strike after the break
The second half began with a double strike by TSG: first Bebou completed an attack over several stations (49th), then it was Baumgartner who finished off a quick counter-attack after an errant pass by Czichos (51st). Cologne had to shake themselves at first, Baumgart changed three times. However, this did not help much, Cologne did not create any goal chances worth mentioning in the second half. Hoffenheim dropped down a gear, but still managed to score more goals.
Geiger punished another loss of the ball by Cologne in forward motion with the 4:0 (74.). The final goal was scored by Posch, who headed in a free-standing Kramaric cross for the 5:0 final score and his first goal in his 86th Bundesliga match. TSG have only won higher in the Bundesliga once – 6-0 against 1. FC Köln on 31 March 2018.
The tough away game at FC Bayern now awaits Hoffenheim next Saturday (15.30). Cologne welcomes Leverkusen for the Rhineland derby the following day (3.30 p.m.).
