Hoffenheim ran out comfortable winners at the Rhein-Necker-Arena this afternoon against 1. FC Union Berlin on the penultimate weekend of the Bundesliga season.
Three goals from Ihlas Bebou, Andre Kramaric and Manus Dabbur put Matthias Kaltenbach's team on easy streak before the half-time interval.
Union weren't able to muster up a response and Christoph Baumgartner came off the bench to make it four for Hoffenheim as the home side continued their push for a spot in the Europa League.
Coach Urs Fischer gave on-loan Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas his Bundesliga debut on the penultimate matchday of the league season. Neven Subotic returned, while Anthony Ujah and Yunus Malli were handed spots in the line-up. Union’s goalkeeper for the day was highly-involved from the first minute as Matthias Kaltenbach’s side looked motivated to take a step closer to European qualification. Ihlas Bebou wasted an opportunity in the eighth minute when through on Nicolas’ goal but he made no mistake after 12 minutes to give Hoffenheim the lead. Robert Skov’s free-kick after 17 minutes was strongly palmed clear by Nicolas, but the Dane turned provider for Kramaric and the Croatian blazed past Nicolas with six minutes left. The Köpenick club had no response to Hoffenheim’s dominance with Robert Andrich and Marvin Friedrich walking yellow-card tightropes. Before the close of play, Munas Dabbur fired the ball under Moritz Nicolas to give the hosts a three-goal half-time advantage.
Despite the deficit, Fischer trusted the same eleven players to push the team forward in the second half. Hoffenheim remained on top in the afternoon sun and created the best chances to increase their lead. On 56 minutes, Dennis Geiger shot past the post from about 20 yards out. Fischer's changes freshened up the Union ranks at the hour mark – the Swiss coach making three at the first opportunity. Neven Subotic, Yunus Malli and Anthony Ujah were taken off and replaced by Michael Parensen, Marcus Ingvartsen and Suleiman Abdullahi who made his first appearance since December. On 68 minutes, Baumgartner collected a through pass from Benjamin Hübner and slotted past Moritz Nicolas. Felix Kroos and Joshua Mees were given appearance time at the end, but Hoffenheim were in no danger of giving anything away.
After a heavy defeat, 1. FC Union Berlin will finish their first Bundesliga season at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei next Saturday at home to Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Union head to Hoffenheim for first time
Match preview
In the penultimate round of fixtures in the Bundesliga, 1. FC Union Berlin will make the trip to Hoffenheim for the first time. The match at the Rhein-Necker-Arena kicks off at 15:30.
Review
1. FC Union Berlin secured their Bundesliga survival on Tuesday at the Alte Försterei with a 1-0 win over relegated Paderborn. The Köpenick club's trend of improving performances continued with Urs Fischer's men creating the best chances. With a lot at stake for both teams, Paderborn goalkeeper Leopold Zingerle was the key player and kept his side in the game. But Christopher Trimmel's dangerous free-kick was headed into his own net by Ben Zolinski. From there, Union stayed in control and were greeted with cheers from supporters at full-time who had gathered outside the stadium grounds.
Meanwhile, Hoffenheim picked up a 3-1 win at Augsburg as they continued their own push for a spot in European competition next season. Munas Dabbur scored a brace for Hoffenheim before Ruben Vargas pulled a goal back. In the end, the visitors went home with all three points after Ihlas Bebou's goal late in the match.
Record
Hoffenheim and Union meet for the first time in Sinsheim on Saturday following the first-ever meeting between the clubs at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in December. Goals from Ihlas Bebou and Christoph Baumgartner secured the points for Hoffenheim before the winter break. In recent weeks, Hoffenheim have made changes in the dugout with Alfred Schreuder and Alexander Rosen coming to a mutual agreement about the Dutch coach's departure. A team of coaches, led by Matthias Kaltenbach, will take charge of first-team duties until the end of the season.
Personnel
Urs Fischer confirmed pre-match that he would be without Norwegian Julian Ryerson. Meanwhile, Christopher Lenz has trained this week but remains doubtful.
"A tough challenge awaits us against Hoffenheim. If you look at the team's last two games, they've done really well. For us it's important to finish the season as we started it. Even though we've now achieved our big goal, you're taking the last game into the break and the preparation, so we'll invest everything. We're trying to score in every game and leave the pitch as winners," said Fischer.
Service
The match is behind closed doors.
Saturday's game in Hoffenheim is live on Sky Sports, while BT Sports & Fox Soccer will show the match in the United Kingdom and United States respectively.
