Sensheim, Oct. 30 (BUS): Hoffenheim continued their strong Bundesliga run against Hertha Berlin on Friday with a 2-0 victory on Friday that lifted them to the top half of the table.
And Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric opened the scoring after a slow start in the 19th minute from a low cross from Robert Skov, his ninth goal against Hertha in 11 matches he played against them, according to the German news agency (dpa).
The home side boosted the goal and Sebastian Rudy scored the second goal in the 36th minute after Skov rebounded in the far right corner.
Herta’s misery was complete when captain Dedrick Boyata was sent off for a gritty challenge against Angelo Stiller 14 minutes from the end of the game, following a video review after Boyata was initially booked only.
Hoffenheim have lost only one of their last 12 matches against Hertha, winning eight and drawing three.
They climbed four places to seventh while the harmless Hertha dropped from one to 11.
“We were good in individual situations and forced so many bad passes that we turned them into scoring opportunities. It’s a very well deserved win,” Rudy told live broadcast portal DAZN.
Hertha coach Pal Darday said: “Coming home after the 2-0 defeat is not a good thing. We wasted a lot in the first half. We couldn’t take the risk after the red card. Hoffenheim was a well-deserved winner.”
The tenth round continues on Saturday and Sunday, with leaders Bayern Munich meeting in fifth place Union Berlin, a few days after the historic collapse 5-0 against Borussia Moenchengladbach in the German Cup.
NS