TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have written a new chapter in the club’s history as they secured their place in Europe for next season. Julian Nagelsmann’s side battled back in the race to secure direct qualification for the Champions League group stages thanks to a stoppage time equaliser from Kerem Demirbay against 1. FC Köln on matchday 30 of the Bundesliga. The former Germany U21 international Leonardo Bittencourt had provided the assist to Jonas Hector to give the hosts the lead. With 55 points, TSG are now two points in front of closest chasers Borussia Dortmund, who face a tough test away at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening.
It was Köln who took the initiative, mounting attacks early on and winning the ball but they failed to create any clear-cut opportunities. Hoffenheim sat deep in their own half but it was the away side who had the first real chance of the night through Adam Szalai, who only just missed the target with his effort from close range. Both teams battled and struggled to break the other down as the defences remained solid. Dominique Heintz had Köln’s best chance of the first half, finding the post with his headed effort. It remained goalless as neither side could find the upper hand.
Demirbay with last-gasp equaliser
Little changed at first after the restart as the forwards for either side failed to make an impact in the opposition box. However Köln finally made the break through as Hector found himself in space and coolly squared the ball across to Bittencourt who could not miss. 1-0 to the hosts.
Hoffenheim continued to struggle to put Köln under any meaningful pressure and it looked as if this season’s surprise team would be leaving Cologne with nothing. Yet after the home team missed a myriad of golden opportunities to put the game to bed, Nadiem Amiri struck deep into injury time with a composed side-footed finish into the bottom corner to send the Hoffenheim fans and bench into raptures as they knew they had secured their place in Europe next season.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have written a new chapter in the club’s history as they secured their place in Europe for next season. Julian Nagelsmann’s side battled back in the race to secure direct qualification for the Champions League group stages thanks to a stoppage time equaliser from Kerem Demirbay against 1. FC Köln on matchday 30 of the Bundesliga. The former Germany U21 international Leonardo Bittencourt had provided the assist to Jonas Hector to give the hosts the lead. With 55 points, TSG are now two points in front of closest chasers Borussia Dortmund, who face a tough test away at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening.
It was Köln who took the initiative, mounting attacks early on and winning the ball but they failed to create any clear-cut opportunities. Hoffenheim sat deep in their own half but it was the away side who had the first real chance of the night through Adam Szalai, who only just missed the target with his effort from close range. Both teams battled and struggled to break the other down as the defences remained solid. Dominique Heintz had Köln’s best chance of the first half, finding the post with his headed effort. It remained goalless as neither side could find the upper hand.
Demirbay with last-gasp equaliser
Little changed at first after the restart as the forwards for either side failed to make an impact in the opposition box. However Köln finally made the break through as Hector found himself in space and coolly squared the ball across to Bittencourt who could not miss. 1-0 to the hosts.
Hoffenheim continued to struggle to put Köln under any meaningful pressure and it looked as if this season’s surprise team would be leaving Cologne with nothing. Yet after the home team missed a myriad of golden opportunities to put the game to bed, Nadiem Amiri struck deep into injury time with a composed side-footed finish into the bottom corner to send the Hoffenheim fans and bench into raptures as they knew they had secured their place in Europe next season.
