bundesliga

Andrej Kramarić penalty rescues point for Hoffenheim against in-form Augsburg

29.03.2025

Andrej Kramarić scored a second-half penalty to rescue a point for Hoffenheim in a 1-1 draw with Augsburg, who extended their unbeaten run to 11 straight Bundesliga games.

Hoffenheim 1-1 Augsburg
Goals: 0-1 Essende 46’ (assist: Zesiger), 1-1 Kramarić (pen. 71’)

Hoffenheim's quest to end their home woes faced a stern test against an in-form Augsburg side riding a ten-match unbeaten streak. The hosts, winless in their last nine home games, were eager to turn their fortunes around, while the visitors aimed to continue their impressive run and push for European qualification. Hoffenheim manager Christian Ilzer made three changes to his line-up, including giving 19-year-old winter signing Bazoumana Toure his first start.

Samuel Essende's precise finish beats Oliver Baumann to give Augsburg a shock lead - IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Wolfgang Frank

First-half chances

The opening 45 minutes saw both teams engage in a tactical battle, with Hoffenheim enjoying more possession. Toure came close to opening the scoring in the 25th minute, his header from Marius Bülter's cross striking the post. Bülter himself had a chance in the 18th minute, his header from Kramarić's cross forcing a save from Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen. The visitors, true to their recent form, defended resolutely, with Cédric Zesiger picking up a yellow card for his efforts to maintain their clean sheet.

Essende's instant impact

The second half began with a bang as Augsburg substitute Samuel Essende made an immediate impact. Just 16 seconds after the restart, the forward volleyed home a cross from Zesiger to give the visitors the lead. The goal, coming with Essende's first touch, stunned the home crowd and threatened to extend Hoffenheim's home struggles.

Andrej Kramarić calmly slots home the penalty, bringing Hoffenheim level. - Christian Kaspar-Bartke

Kramarić to the rescue

Hoffenheim, spurred on by the deficit, began to assert themselves more in the match. Their efforts were rewarded in the 71st minute when they were awarded a penalty after a handball by Jeffrey Gouweleeuw. Kramarić stepped up and coolly chipped the ball down the middle, ending Dahmen's impressive run of 683 minutes without conceding and leveling the score at 1-1.

Elvis Rexhbecaj and Bülter battle for possession, exemplifying the tight contest throughout the match. - IMAGO/nordphoto GmbH / Bratic

Late drama and shared spoils

The final stages of the match saw both teams pushing for a winner. Hoffenheim thought they had won another penalty in the 85th minute when Dahmen appeared to foul Haris Tabaković, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review. Despite Hoffenheim's superior xG (1.9 to Augsburg's 0.59), they couldn't find a way through Augsburg's resolute defence. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that extends Augsburg's unbeaten run to 11 games but does little to alleviate Hoffenheim's home woes.

Player of the Match: Andrej Kramarić

Kramarić's crucial penalty not only salvaged a point for Hoffenheim but also highlighted his importance to the team. The Croatian forward showed composure under pressure, expertly converting the spot-kick to bring his side level. Beyond the goal, Kramarić was a constant threat, creating chances for his teammates and leading Hoffenheim's attack with skill and determination. He was the most pressed player in the match, facing pressure 23 times, showcasing his ability to perform under intense defensive attention.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Hoffenheim 1.9 - Augsburg 0.59
Fastest player: David Jurásek (Hoffenheim), 34.6 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Samuel Essende (Augsburg), 17 percent
Most pressed player: Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), 23 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Valentin Gendrey (Hoffenheim), +1.98

Fantasy Heroes: Dimitrios Giannoulis (Augsburg, 260 Points), Cédric Zesiger (Augsburg, 229 Points), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg, 192 Points)