Hoffenheim move further from trouble with vital win away at Werder Bremen
The Weserstadion was treated to a rather drab start, as both teams failed to make an impact in the attacking third despite seeing a fair amount of half-chances arrive their way.
Of the two, it was Hoffenheim who seemed likelier to bag the opener, inching their way through Ole Werner’s men in a bid to amend their winless away fortunes. That left Bremen frustrated for large periods, and Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann played a starring role to further irk the hosts.
The German shot-stopper pulled off significant back-to-back saves to deny Marvin Ducksch, the first of which was outstanding, as he leapt like a salmon to thwart a top-corner bound effort.
Pellegrino Matarazzo, still searching for a first away win at Hoffenheim, seemed unconcerned though, perhaps sensing a tactical change could unsettle the hosts in the second period. And that is what exactly happened after the visitors adopted a direct approach once the match resumed after the break.
Feeding on Bremen’s inability to keep pace on the counter, the visitors struck a double blow via successive headers in the blink of an eye.
Andrej Kramaric drew first blood following Angelino’s pinpoint cross from the left wing before Pavel Kaderabek fed Christoph Baumgartner a similar assist from the opposite wing to double Hoffenheim’s advantage.
Despite the quickfire blow, Werder gathered themselves to strike a consolation in the closing stages via Amos Pieper’s header, which took a deflection on its way past Jiri Pavlenka.
However, relegation candidates Hoffenheim held strong to extend their unbeaten streak in Bremen to eight games, having last tasted a defeat at the Weserstadion in April 2014.
They moved three points clear of the drop zone, while Bremen remained stranded in mid-table after a fourth consecutive winless Bundesliga outing.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim)
