Bundesliga
Substitute Georginio Rutter helped Hoffenheim to take a deserved point from their visit to Eintracht Frankfurt, whose Evan Ndicka had a day to remember, scoring at both ends in an exhilarating encounter in which Daichi Kamada also netted.
Eintracht Frankfurt 2-2 Hoffenheim
Goals: 0-1 Ndicka (o.g.) 12', 1-1 Ndicka 32' (assist: Kostic), 2-1 Kamada 66' (assist: Ndicka), 2-2 Rutter 78' (assist: Raum)
For two teams with aims of finishing among the European spots, putting an end to respective winless runs was the order of the day. Eintracht are still chasing glory in the Europa League - Die Adler visit West Ham United in Thursday's semi-final first leg - but coach Oliver Glasner had prioritised this game as a chance to boost morale after his side failed to pick up three points in four consecutive games. However, to the hosts' frustration, it was Hoffenheim - without a victory in five - who hit the front. Sensing danger from Andrej Kramaric's wicked centre, Ndicka got his head to the ball, only to power it past the returning Kevin Trapp and into his own net. The defender almost made amends soon afterwards with an effort that flew narrowly over, but the 22-year-old would be offered another chance at redemption which he wouldn't pass up. In the meantime, Trapp saved spectacularly to deny Munas Dabbur on the half-volley while at the other end, Kostic's poke at the near post was read all the way by Oliver Baumann, who palmed wide. From the resulting corner, Ndicka headed the teams level.
Dropping to eighth after a disappointing draw against Greuther Fürth on Matchday 30, the Sinsheimers sought to raise their game in the second half at Deutsche Bank Park. Jacob Bruun Larsen swept wide as the visitors probed, but an unnecessary loss of possession later in the game led to a major headache for Sebastian Hoeneß's team. The ball eventually broke for Ndicka, and the Parisian capped an eventful day by teeing up Kamada, who had time and space to pick his spot in the far corner for 2-1. Hoffenheim now had their work cut out if they hoped to gain a first win here in six years, and Hoeneß threw Rutter into the mix as he sought to peg Eintracht back. The change paid off when the forward got on the end of David Raum's cross with a downward header that gave Trapp no chance. With little time to dwell on his disappointment, the home keeper made a crucial intervention to deny Kramaric at the death and ensure both teams emerged from this entertaining encounter with a point.
Frankfurt: Trapp - Tuta, Hinteregger, Ndicka - Knauff (Paciencia 86'), Jakic, Rode (c) (Hrustic 67'), Kostic - Lindstrom (Ache 78'), Kamada (Sow 79') - Borre (Hauge 67')
Unused subs: Grahl, Toure, Hasebe, Chandler
Out: Lenz (broken toe), Ramaj (knee)
Coach: Oliver Glasner
Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Posch, Akpoguma (Nordtveit 46', Adams 89'), Vogt - Bruun Larsen (Rutter 67'), Samassekou (Rudy 67'), Stiller, Raum - Kramaric - Bebou, Dabbur (Skov 87')
Unused subs: Philipp, Nuhu, Che, Asllani
Out: Baumgartner (suspended), Bicakcic (knee), Geiger (unspecified), Grillitsch (muscular), Hübner (back), John (shoulder), Kaderabek (suspended), Richards (thigh)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß