TSG Hoffenheim threw away their Bundesliga season opener, losing 3-2 at 1. FC Cologne. A missed penalty by Max Moerstedt in the 57th minute and a hat-trick from Cologne debutant Thijs Dallinga turned a promising position into defeat for the team from Sinsheim.
Adam Daghim put Hoffenheim ahead in the 27th minute with a left-footed shot following an assist from Bambasé Conté. After Cologne's Said El Mala equalised shortly after half-time, Ozan Kabak appeared to have swung the game back. The Turkish centre-back headed in from a Vladimir Coufal cross to make it 2-1 in the 67th minute. But the joy at the RheinEnergieSTADION was short-lived.
Dallinga turns the tide
Cologne substitute and new signing Thijs Dallinga levelled the scores just five minutes later to make it 2-2. In the 82nd minute, the Dutchman completed his dream debut, scoring the 3-2 winner with his right foot. For Hoffenheim, the decisive moment was the missed penalty by Max Moerstedt, who failed shortly after coming on. Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo had brought the striker on for Adam Hložek in the 53rd minute, simultaneously introducing Robin Hranac for Bernardo.
"We showed good phases but lacked the necessary ruthlessness in the decisive moments," Matarazzo said after the match. The defeat sees TSG drop to 14th place in the standings, while Cologne climb to third. The next chance to pick up points comes next Saturday when Hoffenheim host SC Freiburg at the PreZero Arena.
