Hoffenheim ease to Leipzig win

Hoffenheim 2-0 RB Leipzig
Goals: 1-0 Samassekou 12' (assist: Geiger), 2-0 Dabbur (68')

Hoffenheim made a bright start and did not have to wait long before taking the lead. Peter Gulacsi attempted to punch Dennis Geiger's corner away, but the ball flew beyond his flailing hand and was headed in by the unmarked Samassekou. Gulacsi did better to tip a Kevin Akpoguma effort over the crossbar as Hoffenheim continued to push for a second. Stefan Posch headed another good opportunity wide for the hosts while there was little to see at the other end of the field, where Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was having a relatively quiet afternoon, with just one shot on his goal all half.

That was something Leipzig needed to address in the second half, and the first move was for Emil Forsberg to replace Kevin Kampl. Hoffenheim nevertheless had the first two shots of the second half, both missed by Georginio Rutter. Leipzig were having problems defending corners and Akpoguma almost headed in a second from such a set-piece, with still no sign of an equaliser and more indications that the hosts might double their lead. Christopher Nkunku tried to change that with an acrobatic effort which missed the target by some distance before a defensive mistake cost Leipzig dearly. They gave the ball away cheaply to Dabbur and then chose not to close him down, allowing him the time and space to pick his spot for his second goal of the season. Jesse Marsch took a final roll of the dice with Brian Brobbey and Ilaix Moriba sent on, and Sebastian Hoeneß immediately called for cover with Chris Richards replacing Dabbur. They still went close to a third when Ihlas Bebou's header hit the right-hand post and rolled across the face of goal to Florian Grillitsch, who sent the rebound against the left-hand post, but the icing was not necessary on top of a tasty cake for Hoffenheim, as they served up their fourth straight win at home and fifth of the season.

• This was Hoffenheim's 100th Bundesliga home win.
• Sammasekou scored Hoffenheim's earliest goal of the season and became the 13th different name on the scoresheet for the Sinsheimers – as many as in the whole of last season.
• It was Sammasekou's first Bundesliga goal in his 61st appearance.
• Hoffenheim hit the woodwork twice, taking their total to eight shots against either the post or crossbar this season.
• Leipzig have claimed 15 of their 18 points this term at home, and are winless in an unwanted club record nine away Bundesliga games.
• Marsch's side had gone seven Bundesliga games without defeat.

Watch: Adams: "We lacked intensity"

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) - Posch, Grillitsch, Vogt - Akpoguma (Nordtveit 89'), Samassekou (Stiller 64'), Geiger, Raum - Rutter (Adamyan 73'), Dabbur (Richards 73'), Bebou (Asllani 89')
Unused subs: Pentke, Adams, Gacinovic, Hübner
Out: Baumgartner (thigh), Bicakcic (knee), John (shoulder), Kaderabek (ankle), Kramaric (concussion), Rudy (knock), Skov (thigh)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Klostermann (Novoa 79'), Orban, Gvardiol - Mukiele (Henrichs 53'), Adams, Kampl (Forsberg 46'), Angelino - Szoboszlai (Moriba 71'), Nkunku - Silva (Brobbey 71')
Unused subs: Martinez, Olmo, Wosz
Out: Haidara (ankle), Halstenberg (ankle), Laimer (groin), Poulsen (calf), Saracchi (knee)
Coach: Jesse Marsch