Hoffenheim outmuscle Köln to continue run
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim extended their unbeaten start to the season to 13 successive Bundesliga games thanks to a 4-0 victory at home to 1. FC Köln on Matchday 13.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 4-0 1. FC Köln
Goals: 1-0 Wagner (8'), 2-0 Toljan (39'), 3-0 Wagner (67'), 4-0 Uth (89')
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The early exchanges served as a reminder that Hoffenheim are not in the top six by accident. Organised at the back, aggressive in tackles and eager to get forward with quick, one-touch passing, Julian Nagelsmann's side were irrepressible in the first half and deservedly went ahead through Sandro Wagner and Jeremy Toljan. However, Köln did give regular glimpses of their quality, and could have scored before half-time but for poor finishing inside the box.
Those misses would prove costly later on, as although the Billy Goats committed men forward in the second half, they could not find a way through. Hoffenheim were content to soak up the pressure and wait for their chance to pounce, which they duly did through Wagner, who headed in his second of the game from a pinpoint free-kick. Substitute Mark Uth finished off a flowing one-touch move from close range late on to add gloss to the scoreline and seal a fully deserved victory.
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Talking point
And so Hoffenheim march on. The Sinsheim-based club are unbeaten in the Bundesliga, are averaging over two goals per game and could be a serious threat to the established order in the top third of the table come the end of the season.
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Match stats
- Wagner's strike was Hoffenheim's earliest goal this season.Hoffenheim scored following a corner for the fourth time this term; in 2015/16 they managed just three.The hosts became the first team this season to score twice past Köln in the first half.
Line-ups
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Süle, Vogt, Hübner – Kaderabek, Polanski (c) (Atik 60'), Toljan – Kramaric (Uth 60'), Rudy, Amiri - Wagner (Ochs 81')
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Köln: Kessler – Sörensen, Mavraj, Heintz, Rausch – Risse (Hartel 24'), Özcan (Guirassy 62'), Hector (c), Zoller (Rudnevs 62') – Osako, Modeste
Coach: Peter Stöger