Andrej Kramaric caps Hoffenheim comeback in Wolfsburg
Andrej Kramaric was the match-winner as Hoffenheim came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg 1-2 Hoffenheim
Goals: 1-0 Wind 36' (assist: Philipp), 1-1 Bruun Larsen 74' (assist: Kaderabek), 1-2 Kramaric 78' (assist: Baumgartner)
Buoyed by back-to-back wins, Wolfsburg took the game by the scruff of the neck as Ridle Baku pinged a devilish cross just out of Jonas Wind's reach. Jerome Roussillon tried to go one better after controlling USA international defender John Brooks' heat-seeking punt, but the Frenchman's ball into the danger zone was cut out by Kevin Vogt. Hoffenheim's riposte came by way of an Ihlas Bebou snap-shot that Maximilian Arnold blocked in front of goalkeper Koen Casteels. The Hoffenheim top scorer then blazed over on the follow-up. Wind fared significantly better with the next opening, Wolfsburg's January signing bending a sensational first-time finish into the top corner following quick passing involving Max Kruse and Maximilian Philipp. The Dane directed an Arnold free-kick straight at Hoffenheim No.1 Oliver Baumann moments later.
Hoffenheim lost Kevin Vogt to injury late in the first half, and introduced Pavel Kaderabek at the onset of the second. Although the move enabled Bebou to shift into a more central attacking role, the visitors continued to find clear-cut chances at a premium. Wolfsburg fared marginally better as Arnold arrowed in a cross from the left, only for David Raum to intervene before Baku could pounce at the back post. Benjamin Hübner was afforded a far more presentable opportunity from a Raum free-kick, but directed his towering header straight at the goalkeeper. Roussillon spurned a double chance soon after, and was made to pay when substitute Jacob Bruun Larsen levelled with a sensational scissor-kick. That Roussillon miss proved costlier still as Christoph Baumgartner back-heeled a Raum cross into the path of Kramaric to fire the away side ahead from close range. Baumann pulled off a brilliant point-blank save from Wind, who also had a late equaliser chalked off for offside, as Hoffenheim moved back up to fourth, overnight at least.
Match stats
- Hoffenheim recorded only their fourth away win of the campaign.
- Wind scored on his third Bundesliga appearance, with his fourth shot on goal.
- Kramaric scored his fourth Bundesliga goal of the season.
- Bruun Larsen also has four - a career-best single return for the Dane.
- TSG boast a league-high 17 different scorers in 2021/22
- Wolfsburg were unbeaten in nine home games against Hoffenheim (W5, D4).
Watch: Andrej Kramaric - 'Bruun Larsen's might be Goal of the Season!'
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Line-ups
Wolfsburg: Casteels (c) - Lacroix, Bornauw (F. Nmecha 83'), Brooks - Baku, Arnold, Vranckx (Gerhardt 65), Roussillon (Bialek 90'+1) - Kruse, M. Philipp (Lukebakio 65') - Wind
Unused subs: Pervan, Waldschmidt, Steffen, Mbabu, Paredes
Out: L. Nmecha (ankle), Otavio (knee), Schlager (knee), Van de Ven (thigh), William (knee)
Coach: Florian Kohfeldt
Hoffenheim: Baumann - Posch (Bruun Larsen 70'), Vogt (Nordtveit 43'), Hübner (c) - Bebou, Samassekou (Rudy 70'), Baumgartner, Raum - Kramaric - Dabbur (Kaderabek 46'), Rutter (Akpoguma 86')
Unused subs: L. Philipp, Che, John, Conte
Out: Bicakcic (knee), Geiger (suspended), Grillitsch (suspended), Richards (foot), Skov (thigh), Stiller (ill)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß
Watch: Jonas Wind happy with goal, disappointed with result
Related news
Leverkusen back in title race
The defending champions surged back into the race to retain their Bundesliga crown on Matchday 14, narrowing the gap behind Bayern to just four points.
How do Bayern and Leipzig stack up?
Bayern take on recent rivals Leipzig in their final game before the winter break. The record champions vs. the young pretenders - how do they compare?
Felix Nmecha: "We'll keep fighting"
The Germany international spoke to bundesliga.com about his evolving role, Nuri Şahin and Dortmund's aims for the rest of the season...