By Rich
Christoph Baumgartner scored 2 goals in the final 5 minutes of Friday’s match to propel hosts TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to a 2:1 victory over visitors VfB Stuttgart. Stuttgart’s goal came in the 58th minute when striker Sasa Kalajdzic, introduced into the match at the break, headed a corner toward the far post for captain Wataru Endo to drive home. Stuttgart appeared headed for victory as the match neared its conclusion, but then the Austrian Baumgartner drove down the right pitch, cut inside, and bent the ball into the far top corner in the 85th minute. Then, just 5 minutes later, he kicked the ball high into the Stuttgart goal after a misjudged cross from the left. The win allows Hoffenheim to climb into the top 4, at least temporarily, while leaving Stuttgart in the bottom 2. The brace was Baumgartner’s second in the Bundesliga, and Hoffenheim have now scored 17 times in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, a league high. Stuttgart are now 9 games without a win, which is the longest current run in the league. Many league fans will be watching Saturday’s match between hosts Union Berlin and visitors Mainz, as both teams have collected 34 points and occupy the middle of the table. Union Berlin have been struggling recently, having lost their last 3 matches, threatening their hopes of European football next season. While Union’s Robin Knoche will be returning from a suspension, coach Urs Fischer is certainly worried about Taiwo Awoniyi, who has not scored a goal since the 2:1 win over Leipzig on December 3. As much as Union has struggled recently, Mainz have been successful, including a 3:2 win over Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. In fact, Mainz are the league’s most successful club in February, and have been assisted by late goals from the bench with Paul Boetius and Marcus Ingvartsen. Later on Sunday, Bayern will travel to Frankfurt, but will be without Thomas Müller, Alphonso Davies, Leon Goretzka, Manuel Neuer, and Corentin Tolisso as they look to preserve their lead in the table over Dortmund. Frankfurt have won just 1 of their last 6 league outings and are at risk of falling into a relegation battle if their scoring drought continues - the club has failed to find the net in 3 of their last 4 matches. The club did, however, defeat Bayern 2:1 in the reverse fixture. Looking ahead to Sunday, Augsburg will host Dortmund in an important match for both clubs. Augsburg have just 2 wins from their last 10 games, while Dortmund need to continue generating goals in the absence of Erling Haaland.
Christoph Baumgartner scored 2 goals in the final 5 minutes of Friday’s match to propel hosts TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to a 2:1 victory over visitors VfB Stuttgart. Stuttgart’s goal came in the 58th minute when striker Sasa Kalajdzic, introduced into the match at the break, headed a corner toward the far post for captain Wataru Endo to drive home. Stuttgart appeared headed for victory as the match neared its conclusion, but then the Austrian Baumgartner drove down the right pitch, cut inside, and bent the ball into the far top corner in the 85th minute. Then, just 5 minutes later, he kicked the ball high into the Stuttgart goal after a misjudged cross from the left. The win allows Hoffenheim to climb into the top 4, at least temporarily, while leaving Stuttgart in the bottom 2. The brace was Baumgartner’s second in the Bundesliga, and Hoffenheim have now scored 17 times in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, a league high. Stuttgart are now 9 games without a win, which is the longest current run in the league. Many league fans will be watching Saturday’s match between hosts Union Berlin and visitors Mainz, as both teams have collected 34 points and occupy the middle of the table. Union Berlin have been struggling recently, having lost their last 3 matches, threatening their hopes of European football next season. While Union’s Robin Knoche will be returning from a suspension, coach Urs Fischer is certainly worried about Taiwo Awoniyi, who has not scored a goal since the 2:1 win over Leipzig on December 3. As much as Union has struggled recently, Mainz have been successful, including a 3:2 win over Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. In fact, Mainz are the league’s most successful club in February, and have been assisted by late goals from the bench with Paul Boetius and Marcus Ingvartsen. Later on Sunday, Bayern will travel to Frankfurt, but will be without Thomas Müller, Alphonso Davies, Leon Goretzka, Manuel Neuer, and Corentin Tolisso as they look to preserve their lead in the table over Dortmund. Frankfurt have won just 1 of their last 6 league outings and are at risk of falling into a relegation battle if their scoring drought continues - the club has failed to find the net in 3 of their last 4 matches. The club did, however, defeat Bayern 2:1 in the reverse fixture. Looking ahead to Sunday, Augsburg will host Dortmund in an important match for both clubs. Augsburg have just 2 wins from their last 10 games, while Dortmund need to continue generating goals in the absence of Erling Haaland.
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