Kostic gave Eintracht the lead with his second goal in three league appearances, but half-time substitute Ihlas Bebou fired Hoffenheim level with a near-identical finish two minutes after the restart. Eintracht redoubled their efforts after Bebou’s equaliser, however, and sealed a seventh victory in eight league games thanks to well-placed headers from Ndicka and Silva.
Durm passed fit
The Eagles made just one change to the team that beat Hertha Berlin 3-1 in their most recent league outing. Erik Durm, who had been doubtful with a knee problem, was passed fit to start the game at the PreZero Arena. Aymen Barkok was initially named among the substitutes but was ruled out at short notice due to a back injury.
Kostic breaks the deadlock
Kostic was heavily involved from the get-go in Sinsheim, his teasing cross almost setting up Silva with just five minutes on the clock. Kevin Vogt was able to clear the danger on that occasion, but there was little the hosts could do about the Serbian winger’s darting run and low finish into the bottom corner ten minutes later. The 28-year-old has now scored more goals against TSG – five – than against any other Bundesliga club.
The game developed into a midfield battle after Kostic’s opener. Both teams struggled to fashion clear-cut opportunities until Kamada headed into the bottom corner from Kostic’s cross, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside. Martin Hinteregger also went close to doubling Eintracht’s lead from yet another Kostic delivery, but the centre-back’s header was straight at Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
Eintracht patience pays off
The hosts had hardly troubled Kevin Trapp in the first 45 minutes but half-time substitute Bebou made an instant impact, running onto Andrej Kramaric’s pass before skipping past Hinteregger and firing low into the corner to restore parity. Ishak Belfodil very nearly completed the turnaround five minutes later, but the 29-year-old could only find the side-netting from close range.
The Eagles eventually regained their composure, however, and retook the lead when Ndicka rose to head Kostic’s in-swinging delivery firmly beyond Baumann. The effervescent Kostic was involved in Eintracht’s third goal too, lifting the ball towards the far post for Silva to head home his 17th league goal of the season – only Bayern Munich marksman Robert Lewandowski has found the net more often in the Bundesliga in 2020/21.
Summary: Eagles too strong
Another game, another impressive three points for Adi Hütter’s Eagles. The visitors survived a spell of Hoffenheim pressure early in the second half, but the hosts simply could not deal with Eintracht on the counter-attack. Kostic, with a goal and two assists, was the standout performer in what was ultimately a thoroughly deserved victory for Eintracht.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Hinteregger, Ndicka – Durm (Toure 84’), Sow, Hasebe (Rode 73’), Kostic – Kamada (Zuber 84’), Younes (Jovic 73’) – Silva (Ilsanker 89’)
Goals
0-1 Kostic (15’)
1-1 Bebou (47’)
1-2 Ndicka (62’)
1-3 Silva (64’)
