33rd matchday
Europe very close for Hoffenheim: big win against Darmstadt
Hoffenheim won clearly in the away game against relegated Darmstadt. photo
© Uwe Anspach/dpa
European Cup contenders Hoffenheim outclassed relegated Darmstadt on matchday 33 – and set a club record in its Bundesliga history. A European Championship candidate scores twice.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has the door closed Europe was blown wide open with a huge win against SV Darmstadt 98. The Kraichgauer team won 6-0 (5-0) with no problem when they were already relegated and set their club record for the highest Bundesliga win. Hoffenheim had only achieved such a result in the upper house in March 2018 against 1. FC Köln.
The goals for Hoffenheim in front of 17,810 spectators were scored by Ihlas Bebou (2nd minute/51st), Maximilian Beier (6th/44th), Pavel Kaderabek (22nd) and Ozan Kabak (26th). Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team is in seventh place before the last matchday, which means at least the playoffs of the Conference League and, at best, qualification for the Europa League. With a win against FC Bayern at the end of the season, Hoffenheim would no longer be able to take part in the European Cup. Even sixth place and possible qualification for the Champions League is still possible.
“It’s the last home game in the Bundesliga. And we have a great desire to win this game. That would be a nice moment and is our opportunity to send a big thank you to our fans,” said Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht before the game said against Hoffenheim. But there was no sign of this effort on the pitch. For the Lilies it was an embarrassing Bundesliga farewell to their own audience.
Darmstadt: “Without words”
Hoffenheim played the home team at their whim. Bebou got Hoffenheim off to a lightning start, followed by Beier. His goal was initially disallowed because of an alleged offside position, but was given after checking the video evidence.
The Darmstadt fans waited in vain for a reaction from their team. The Lilies surrendered to their fate, while the Hoffenheim team continued to exude joy. Kaderabek from a tight angle, Kabak with a header from a corner and Beier again scored to make it 5-0 for TSG at half-time. With his brace and a strong performance, the 21-year-old offensive player promoted himself to national coach Julian Nagelsmann, who will name his squad for the European Championships on Thursday.
“Without words,” wrote SV Darmstadt 98 on X after the half-time whistle blew. The spectators expressed their anger with boos. But the second half started like the first – with a goal from Hoffenheim’s striker Bebou. Even after that, the game remained a one-sided affair. The Darmstadt team was lucky that the defeat wasn’t even worse.