Andrej Kramaric on target but Hoffenheim have to settle for 1-1 draw at Hertha Berlin
Andrej Kramaric scored on his 200th Bundesliga appearance but Hoffenheim had to settle for a point as Dodi Lukebakio's effort earned Hertha Berlin a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Hertha Berlin 1-1 Hoffenheim
Goals: 1-0 Kramaric (assist: Kabak) 25', 1-1 Lukebakio (assist: Ejuke) 37'
Hertha were presented with a great early chance inside the opening 10 minutes but Wilfred Kanga fired over from inside the box. Excellent in recent weeks, Hoffenheim were slow to start but they had an inviting opening of their own soon after as a clever corner-kick routine presented Kramaric with a shot on goal but the Croatian sent the ball over. TSG were warming to the task and found themselves in front soon after as Kramaric gambled on Ozan Kabak’s shot at goal before turning into the Hertha net. The visitors looked as though they would safely go into the break with a lead, but they were pegged back before half-time with a goal very much of their own making. Angelino's poor clearance found Chidera Ejuke on the edge of the TSG box, and his pass sent Lukebakio clear to apply a fine finish to make it 1-1.
After the interval, it was Hoffenheim that threatened to retake the lead first. Christoph Baumgartner wriggled his way into the box but his finish tamely rolled wide of the post. Lukebakio then made an ambitious attempt to volley Hertha in front, only to see his acrobatic effort sail over the crossbar. With a quarter of an hour to go, second-half sub Angelo Stiller fed Baumgartner through on goal but the Hoffenheim forward again dragged his shot wide as he looked to find the far corner from the right hand side. That was as presentable as the second-half chances came, forcing the two teams to settle for a point apiece - a result that leaves Hertha two points clear of the drop and Hoffenheim three adrift of top spot.
Watch: Kramaric: "Not happy with one point"
Match stats
- Lukebakio's goal was his third in the league this season and first at the Olympiastadion.
- The Old Lady are still without a home win this term (P4, D3, L1).
- Kramaric marked his 200th Bundesliga appearance with his 91st goal in the German top flight.
- Kabak - who spent last season on loan from Schalke at Norwich City - has started all eight league matches for Hoffenheim so far.
- Hoffenheim coach Andre Breitenreiter turned 49 on the day of the game.
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Watch: Lukebakio: "No way to be negative"
Teams
Hertha: Christensen - Kenny, Uremovic (Paita 46'), Kempf, Plattenhardt (c) - Tousart, Sunjic, Serdar (Richter 72') - Lukebakio (Boateng 83'), Kanga (Selke 72'), Ejuke (Mittelstädt 90+1')
Unused subs: Ernst, Dardai, Darida, Jovetic
Out: Boetius (testicular cancer), Jarstein (not considered), Maolida (ill), Ngankam (knee), Nsona (cruciate ligament)
Coach: Sandro Schwarz
Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Kabak, Vogt, Nsoki (Akpoguma 81') - Kaderabek, Prömel, Geiger (Stiller 63'), Angelino (Skov 81') - Baumgartner (Bruun Larsen 81') - Kramaric, Dabbur (Rutter 61')
Unused subs: Philipp, Rudy, Damar, Asllani
Out: Bebou (knee), Bicakcic (fitness), Hübner (ankle)
Coach: Andre Breitenreiter
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