Bundesliga
Werder Bremen completed a stunning comeback from 3-0 down to beat Hoffenheim 4-3, with Jens Stage netting a hat-trick in a thrilling Bundesliga clash.
Hoffenheim started explosively, scoring three goals in the first 12 minutes through Marius Bülter's brace and Adam Hložek’s fine strike. However, an 18th-minute red card for Stanley Nsoki shifted the momentum and set 10-man Hoffenheim on the back foot. Bremen quickly capitalised, with Julián Malatini pulling one back in the 21st minute. Danish midfielder Jens Stage then stepped up as Bremen's hero, scoring twice before half-time - a 26th-minute header and close-range finish in the 39th minute - to make it 3-3 at the break.
The second half started as dramatically as the first, with Stage completing his hat-trick just four minutes in, heading home a cross from Mitchell Weiser to give Bremen the lead. Despite being a man down, Hoffenheim showed resilience, with Jacob Bruun Larsen and Adam Hložek both going close. However, Bremen's defence held firm, notbaly thanks to Amos Pieper's crucial late intervention. Stage’s hat-trick was the key factor in Bremen's comeback, showcasing his aerial prowess, clinical finishing, and impressive work rate, cementing his status as a rising Bundesliga star. Bremen now sit tenth, just shy of the top half of the table, while Hoffenheim slip into the play-off spot (16th).
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Hoffenheim 1.754 - Bremen 2.4201
Fastest player: Derrick Köhn (Bremen), 33.82 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-0 by Marius Bülter (Hoffenheim), 13.51 percent
Most pressed player: Mitchell Weiser (Bremen), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Anthony Jung (Bremen), +4.13
Fantasy Heroes: Jens Stage (SV Werder Bremen, 518 Points), Marius Bülter (TSG Hoffenheim, 267 Points), Julián Malatini (SV Werder Bremen, 271 Points)