Hoffenheim ease relegation scare with stunning win over Bremen | OneFootball

The hosts make four changes from their defeat at league-leaders Bayern Munich. Winter signing Issa Kaboré and Leonardo Bittencourt, who scored in back-to-back games before the Allianz Arena drubbing, are among the returnees.

Similarly, Christian Ilzer opted for five changes after an embarrassing defeat to fellow relegation-threatened side Union Berlin. Dennis Geiger dropped to the bench after publicly criticizing the club’s management, while Gift Orban is back on the lineup for the first time since his debut against Wolfsburg.

But the opening goal arrived through another Hoffenheim player who returned to the starting lineup. Against the run of play, Stanley Nsoki, who only played 30 minutes since the 5-0 defeat at Bayern, scored his second own-goal of the season to put the hosts ahead.

The Frenchman’s career at Hoffenheim has been dreadful from the start. He was sent off four times in 50 Bundesliga appearances, including when these two teams met in Bremen this season. On this occasion, the 25-year-old beat Luca Philipp with a mistimed header from Romano Schmid’s cross.

However, Hoffenheim were the better side inside the first 30 minutes. Andrej Kramarić had two decent chances before the visitor’s equalizing goal. Once again, it came via a player who didn’t start in last week’s defeat to Union Berlin.

Anton Stach provided an expert finish to the bottom right after playing a one-two with the Croat striker. Ole Werner’s side had no shot on target in the first-half, but they were improved after conceding the equalizer. Schmid, who saw the game’s first booking, set up Marvin Ducksch’s effort that was blocked by Arthur Chaves in the 41st minute.

Just when the hosts seemed to restore momentum, Hoffenheim scored after another well-played one-two on the edge of the box. Bayern-bound Tom Bischof provided the finish after an incisive play involving Finn Ole Becker.

Looking for a first home win over Hoffenheim since 2014, Werner went for triple changes at the break. Derrick Köhn and Amos Pieper, who both started against Bayern, received another chance to impress, while Andre Silva is making his Weserstadion debut.

The Portuguese striker quickly finds himself in a promising position, but his attempt blocked by Leo Østigård, who was also involved in a winter transfer. Despite Bremen dominating possession and two yellow cards to Hoffenheim, it was Ilzer’s side who came close to extending their lead through Marius Bülter.

And that’s what happened when Gift Orban netted his third Bundesliga goal with a superb header from Kramarić’s weighted cross. Werner immediately added another striker to the scene, but Justin Njinmah failed to convert an easy chance, although it wouldn’t have been counted because of offside.

Before Ilzer’s first changes, Stach nearly scored his second of the game with an uncontested header from Bischof’s free-kick. Bremen continued to pose a threat, but they were unable to test Hoffenheim’s stand-in keeper with Mitchell Weiser and Njinmah failing to hit the target.

The much-awaited first shot on target came five minutes from the end of regular time. Bittencourt’s swinging effort was saved by Philipp before Alexander Prass made a crucial intervention from Schmid’s free-kick. Njinmah had the game's last chance when he hit the woodwork with a powerful shot.

It’s Hoffenheim’s second win of 2025 with both results coming away from home. Die Kraichgauer will host Stuttgart in next weekend’s last fixture. Meanwhile, Bremen will travel to SC Freiburg for the Friday night game of matchday 23. The Green and Whites only won once from the last seven Bundesliga fixtures.