At home, TSG Hoffenheim is currently almost unstoppable: Despite sluggish phases against Eintracht Frankfurt, the final score was 3:2 – the fifth home win in a row.
The TSG had been quite successful in front of goal in the 6-3 win in Fürth, but less so in the past six games against Frankfurt (six defeats). This trend threatened to continue in the Kraichgau – with the return of regular keeper Baumann – as initially only the SGE came into its own offensively.
Eintracht, unchanged in terms of personnel compared to the 2-1 last-minute win against Union Berlin, felt their way forward through Kamada (5th) and in particular the free-standing Borré (7th), who did not let himself down a little later: the attacker headed in a short corner at the five-yard line (15th). A not yet well-deserved, but logical lead.
Geiger splendid, Rutter dusts off
It took a while before the home side attacked with any precision – but then the bell rang: Dabbur collected the ball in the penalty area and laid it off for Geiger, who curled a superb shot into the far corner from 20 metres (24). The second Hoffenheim shot was taken by Bebou, Trapp deflected the ball to the feet of Rutter – who thanked him (30.).
The ice-cold Kraichgauer had turned the game around within six minutes and then switched into a sovereign administrative mode. Suddenly, the SGE could hardly get a foot on the ground offensively. Rutter even missed the 3:1, Ndicka cleared just in front of the line (33.).
Frankfurt’s joker stings
A previously somewhat sleepy Eintracht came out of the dressing room brilliantly, Raum blocked decisively against Borré just seconds after the restart – by then the equaliser was already in the air (46th). Jakic also had the 2:2 on his foot a little later (52.), but Frankfurt did not reward themselves.
Hoffenheim again needed its time. Geiger brought TSG back with another shot, even if this time it did not hit the target (54th). Nevertheless, the Hoeneß eleven remained efficient: From 15 metres, Samassekou overcame Trapp with a low shot, the VAR cleared the supposed offside position of Bebou, who provided the assist (59th).
Richards throws himself in
The course of the first half seemed to repeat itself: Hoffenheim began to actively manage again. However, a joker gave Eintracht the early connection: Paciencia took a Kostic cross with his chest and chased the ball from the turn into the net (72.).
In theory, any outcome was conceivable in the final phase, but in practice the home side, who were in the lead, solved the problem better. They kept their opponents busy up front, and at the back they allowed little to happen for a long time. And when the SGE did make a dangerous attempt, Richards successfully intervened on more than one occasion.
For Hoffenheim, who celebrated their fifth home win in a row, it continues next Saturday (15.30) in Freiburg. Frankfurt take on Fenerbahce in the Europa League as early as Thursday (6.45pm) before a home game against Leverkusen on Sunday (5.30pm).
