Hoffenheim's winning run continues thanks to last-gasp penalty in Cologne
Hoffenheim's recent upturn continued in the Matchday 11 opener on Friday, as they extended their winning streak to five consecutive Bundesliga matches with a last-gasp Jürgen Locadia penalty earning them a 2-1 victory away to Cologne.
Cologne 1-2 Hoffenheim
Goals: 1-0 Cordoba (34'), 1-1 Adamyan (48'), 1-2 Locadia (pen, 90+8')
The visitors may have been the form team coming into the game, but it was Cologne who enjoyed the better start, their aggressive pressing and hard running forcing Hoffenheim onto the back foot. There were half chances for Jhon Cordoba and Simon Terodde, while Pavel Kaderabek had the best opportunity for the guests, only to see his close-range shot charged down. With defences on top, it was hard to see where a goal would come from until shortly after the half-hour mark, when Cordoba collected Louis Schaub's pass on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot past Oliver Baumann into the bottom corner.
Hoffenheim coach Alfred Schreuder reacted at half-time and brought on striker Sargis Adamyan, their two-goal hero against Bayern Munich a few weeks ago. The change paid instant dividends, as Sebastian Rudy bent an inviting cross into the box and the Armenian volleyed in the equaliser just three minutes after the restart. It sparked a fierce 15-minute spell from the visitors, who had another four shots on goal during that period, although they were unable to find the net. Having weathered that storm, Cologne gradually became more adventurous but aside from a teasing cross that narrowly evaded Simon Terodde they were unable to unlock the Hoffenheim defence. The match appeared to be heading for a draw until deep into stoppage time, when a VAR review gave Hoffenheim a penalty for a foul on Adamyan, and Locadia held his nerve from the spot to give his side all three points.
Match stats
- Cologne's Ismael Jakobs made his Bundesliga debut here in what was just his second time in the first-team squad.
- Cordoba's goal was his first for the Billy Goats in his 27th outing for the club.
- The Colombian's strike was also the first time Cologne have scored from outside the box this season.
- Adamyan scored his third goal of 2019/20 with his first shot of the game.
- Locadia scored his first-ever penalty in the Bundesliga and has now found the net in three successive matches.
- TSG are now unbeaten in seven matches against Cologne, keeping four clean sheets and conceding just three goals.
Line-ups
Cologne: Horn – Ehizibue, Bornauw (Schindler 83'), Mere, Czichos – Schaub (Drexler 79'), Skhiri (Verstraete 70'), Hector (c), Jakobs – Cordoba, Terodde
Unused subs: Kessler, Schmitz, Höger, Risse, Koziello, Modeste
Out: Kainz (heel), Katterbach (hamstring), Clemens (match fitness)
Coach: Achim Beierlorzer
Hoffenheim: Baumann – Posch, Vogt (c), Hübner – Grillitsch – Kaderabek, Rudy, Rupp (Adamyan 48'), Skov – Bebou (Stafylidis 74'), Locadia
Unused subs Pentke, Bicakcic, Baumgartner, Zulj, Samassekou, Akpoguma, Ribeiro
Out: Belfodil (knee), Ochs (ankle), Zuber (foot), Kramaric (match fitness), Nordtveit (ribs)
Coach: Alfred Schreuder
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