TSG Hoffenheim began the 2026/27 Bundesliga season with a 3-2 defeat away to 1. FC Cologne. The match on the first matchday ended in a disappointing result for the Kraichgau side, who had led twice during the game.
Adam Daghim put Hoffenheim ahead in the 27th minute with a left-footed shot assisted by Bambase Conté. The teams went into halftime with a 0-1 scoreline. In the 57th minute, Max Moerstedt had a chance to extend the lead, but his penalty was saved. Ten minutes later, Ozan Kabak headed in from a Vladimir Coufal cross to make it 1-2. Cologne, however, managed to turn the game around and secured a home win with three goals.
The second half began with two early substitutions for TSG. In the 53rd minute, Max Moerstedt and Robin Hranac came on for Adam Hlozek and Bernardo. Just four minutes later, Moerstedt won a penalty but failed to convert it. Ozan Kabak seemed to have turned the tide with his headed goal in the 67th minute. Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo reacted by bringing on Nathan De Cat for Patrick Wimmer in the 71st minute. In the closing stages, he then replaced Adam Daghim and Albian Hajdari with Andrej Kramaric and Mats Rots. The tactical adjustments could not prevent the defeat.
The defeat ended a remarkable streak for Hoffenheim. They had previously been unbeaten in nine away games in Cologne. Now they left the city without a point for the first time in that run. After this first matchday, TSG occupies 14th place in the table, while 1. FC Cologne sits in third. The team thus looks back on a bumpy start to the new season, after finishing sixth last season with 51 points. From 29 games, they recorded 15 wins, six draws, and eight defeats with a goal difference of 57:43.
The focus now shifts entirely to the next match. On September 5th, Hoffenheim hosts Borussia Dortmund at the PreZero Arena. Dortmund also started successfully and is currently in second place. It will be an early tough test for Matarazzo's team. Preparation for this top fixture is now key. The recent form from last season (DLLDW) shows the team is capable of strong performances but also prone to inconsistency. All key squad data can be found on our squad page. The complete schedule is available under fixtures.
The yellow card for Ozan Kabak in the 83rd minute and another for Max Moerstedt in stoppage time complete the picture of a combative but ultimately unsuccessful evening. The missed point is particularly bitter given they led twice. The defense, which conceded 43 goals last season, must now become more solid again. TSG is well behind leaders Bayern Munich in the all-time Bundesliga table, who had a 25-point lead last season. The current table situation is always up to date on our standings page.
