In an entertaining game at the Rhein-Neckar Arena, a late but great Pierre-Michel Lasogga goal proved to be the difference between Hamburg and Hoffenheim.
First half lacks excitement
The Northerners began the game well and took advantage of a slightly nervous Hoffenheim side, with Lasogga and Michael Gregoritsch having early attempts on goal. The quarter-hour mark seen them go close again, as Oliver Baumann denied Ivo Ilicevic's effort before the lively Gregoritsch shot wide.
Baumann made another save to keep his side in the game not long after, stopping Nicolai Müller and then reacting quickly to keep out Lasogga's headed rebound. Adam Szalai had the best real chance of the first half for the hosts, who were struggling to get forward. Primin Schwegler played in the Hungarian, though he was denied by Johan Djourou.
Hamburg win it late on
The second half didn't bring much change to the pattern of play from both sides, and lacked any real drive to open the scoring. Gregoritsch's cross was headed onto the roof of the net by Lasogga. That was sandwiched between Kevin Volland striking two rather poor shots at goal.
The turning point would come after René Adler made a smart stop from Mark Uth's cross-cum-shot. Ermin Bicakcic brought down former-Hoffenheim forward Sven Schipplock, leaving Daniel Siebert with little other choice than to send him off for a second bookable offence.
Uth and Jeremy Toljan actually had good chances to win the game for the hosts but saw Adler in a defiant mood, as he made two vital saves. The pressure was beginning to tell and Baumann, who was having a great game, denied both Gregoritsch and Schipplock once more.
It was the former striker that would have the last laugh and inflict another loss on Hoffenheim. A good run from Gregoritsch eventually saw him find Schipplock, who crossed for Lasogga to end a near four-game goal drought and send the away block into rapture.