Borussia Dortmund bogeyman Andrej Kramarić reignites Hoffenheim’s UEFA Champions League charge

Having stumbled in recent weeks in their quest to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, it was imperative that Hoffenheim bounced back against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. And they did just that, thanks to a double from the talismanic Andrej Kramarić that once again gives the Sinsheim club hope.

When Kramarić slotted home his 98th-minute penalty against Dortmund, he not only ended Hoffenheim’s four-game winless run, but he also gave the club renewed vigour in their quest to play in the Champions League next season.

The 34-year-old's penalty double means that he has now scored 138 Bundesliga goals, a total that takes him above the legendary Uwe Seeler in the league’s all-time rankings.

Watch: Hoffenheim 2-1 Dortmund

It also means he has now converted 17 consecutive penalties. Not only that, but the attacker continued his habit of finding the net against Dortmund, with his personal haul against BVB growin to 11.

Speaking after the game, Kramarić discussed Hoffenheim’s European ambitions: "We want to play next year against the best teams in the world, against the best players like Mbappé, Haaland, Lamine Yamal and other amazing players and teams. This is a completely different experience for me and for the young players. You have to fight for it and deserve it.”

About the players

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Andrej

Kramarić

TSG Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim’s win was made all the more important by the fact that fellow challengers Bayer Leverkusen suffered a shock last-minute defeat at home to Augsburg.

With just four games remaining, Hoffenheim still have a good chance of claiming a top-four spot, especially if they can beat VfB Stuttgart at home on Matchday 32.

About the clubs

Hoffenheim

PreZero Arena