Andrej Kramarić shines as Hoffenheim secure first home win of the season against Heidenheim
Andrej Kramarić scored one and made another as Hoffenheim finally gave their fans something to cheer at the PreZero Arena against lowly Heidenheim.
Hoffenheim 3–1 Heidenheim
Goals: 1-0 Asllani 18’ (assist: Kramarić), 2-0 Lemperle 45+2‘ (assist: Touré), 3-0 Kramarić 63‘ (assist: Touré), 3-1 Schimmer 75’ (assist: Föhrenbach)
Hoffenheim entered the match with a curious record, standing at the top of the away table but at the bottom of the home table, having lost their first three home games of the season for the first time in their Bundesliga history.
They faced a Heidenheim side that had just climbed off the bottom of the table after drawing 2-2 with Werder Bremen on Matchday 7. Adding special significance to the occasion, Hoffenheim wore a pink kit in support of breast cancer awareness.
Asllani breaks the deadlock
The opening stages saw Kramarić and his teammates dominate possession, although they initially struggled to create clear-cut chances.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Fisnik Asllani received the ball outside the penalty area, took a touch to set himself, and curled a brilliant right-footed effort into the far corner.
Lemperle doubles the advantage before half-time
Hoffenheim continued to control proceedings, with Arijon Ibrahimović's blocked cross that was almost bundled into the hosts' net in the 42nd minute representing Heidenheim's first meaningful attempt.
The home team then struck a crucial blow deep into first-half stoppage time. A swift counter-attack saw Kramarić find Bazoumana Touré on the left, who squared the ball across the penalty area for Tim Lemperle to tap home at the far post.
Kramarić puts the match beyond doubt
Frank Schmidt responded with a triple substitution at half-time, introducing Julian Niehues, Stefan Schimmer and Mathias Honsak in place of Benedikt Gimber, Budu Zivzivadze and Niklas Dorsch.
The changes did result in Heidenheim showing more attacking intent, but it was Hoffenheim who continued to create the clearer opportunities, with Wouter Burger being denied by Diant Ramaj when one-on-one in the 51st minute.
The hosts then effectively sealed the points in the 63rd minute when Toure played Kramarić through, and the Croatian neatly feinted past his defender before confidently finishing into the net to make it 3-0.
Schimmer pulls one back for the visitors
Despite their commanding lead, Hoffenheim couldn't keep a clean sheet. In the 75th minute, Heidenheim intercepted the ball high up the pitch and Schimmer, who had come on at half-time, received the ball with his back to goal, turned quickly and whipped a delicious bending effort into the far corner.
The visitors grew in confidence after scoring, with Schimmer hitting the crossbar in the 88th minute. However, Oliver Baumann's goal was otherwise well protected as Hoffenheim managed the remaining minutes effectively to secure their first home points of the campaign.
Man of the Match: Andrej Kramarić
Kramarić was the clear standout performer, directly contributing to two of Hoffenheim's three goals.
The Croatian provided the assist for Asllani's opener before scoring a clinical third himself, showing excellent composure to feint past his defender before finishing with confidence.
Beyond his goal involvements, Kramarić showed tremendous resilience under pressure, handling being pressed 21 times (more than any other Hoffenheim player) while continuously posing a threat in attack.
His performance earned him the highest Fantasy haul of the match with 281 points, solidifying his status as the game's most influential player.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Hoffenheim 2.24 - Heidenheim 1.04
Fastest player: Arijon Ibrahimović (Heidenheim), 33.97 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Fisnik Asllani (Hoffenheim), 4 percent
Most pressed player: Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim), 21 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Leon Avdullahu (Hoffenheim), +3.4
Fantasy Heroes: Andrej Kramarić (Hoffenheim, 281 Points), Albian Hajdari (Hoffenheim, 252 Points), Fisnik Asllani (Hoffenheim, 240 Points)
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