Hoffenheim’s late surge seals a 3-0 Bundesliga win

1899 Hoffenheim defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 at Prezero Arena in Sunday’s Bundesliga regular-season round seven fixture. The defining moment came late, after Hoffenheim had created more shooting threat despite seeing less of the ball.

Andrej Kramarić opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 79th minute, making it 1-0. Alexander Prass doubled Hoffenheim’s lead in the 89th minute, with Kramarić supplying the assist for a 2-0 scoreline. Max Moerstedt completed the scoring in the 90th minute, his goal making it 3-0.

Hoffenheim created the clearer chances

Leverkusen had 58% possession and completed 428 accurate passes from 502 total passes, compared with Hoffenheim’s 278 accurate passes from 354. That control did not translate into attacking output: Hoffenheim had 20 total shots to Leverkusen’s 9, 15 shots inside the box to 6, and six shots on goal to one. The expected-goals figures also favoured the hosts, 2.63 to 0.76.

Prass was sent off in the 90th minute after receiving a yellow card in the 45th minute. Equi Fernández, Patrik Schick and Facundo Medina were booked for Leverkusen, while Leon Avdullahu and Adam Daghim also received Hoffenheim yellows.

Points change, positions remain provisional

Hoffenheim moved from 6 points to 9 and now have 7 played, with a goal difference of 0. Leverkusen remain on 13 points from 7 played, with a goal difference of 4. Borussia Dortmund lead provisionally with 17 points; Hoffenheim trail by 8 and Leverkusen by 4.

O. Kabak was the standout performer, earning a 7.7 rating after 90 minutes, one key pass and three tackles. The result added a win to Hoffenheim’s pre-match Loss, Loss, Win, Loss, Loss, Win sequence and interrupted Leverkusen’s Loss, Win, Draw, Win, Win, Win form.