Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund. German Bundesliga.
WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-ArenaAttendance30,150.
Saturday 2 May 2015 16:47, UK
Hoffenheim halted Borussia Dortmund's recent resurgence by taking a 1-1 draw at the Rhein-Neckar Arena on Saturday.
Kevin Volland's opener was cancelled out by Mats Hummels as both sides had to settle for a point which keeps them still in the hunt for a place in Europe next season.
With three games of the season remaining, both are within three points of the top six and a place in the Europa League.
This fixture - in reverse - on the final day of the 2012-13 season saw Hoffenheim clinch a dramatic 2-1 win at the Westfalenstadion to avoid relegation to the second division.
The stakes were much different this time, though, with Hoffenheim leading their visitors coming into the game and both seeking three points for a place in Europe next season.
There would be no favours from Dortmund and no taking it easy either, even if they still have another route into the Europa League by winning the DFB-Pokal final at the end of the month.
Dortmund fought their way back into the game after a bright start from the hosts but just as they appeared to be getting on top, the hosts took the lead.
Pirmin Schwegler sent Volland into the penalty area and he was able to skip past Marcel Schmelzer with ease before beating the onrushing Mitchell Langerak in the Dortmund goal.
It served as a wake-up call to Dortmund, and one that they heeded with Hummels heading a Henrikh Mkhitaryan corner in barely a minute later.
Both teams could have gained the lead before the hour mark with first Volland and then Shinji Kagawa missing before Anthony Modeste found himself with only Langerak to beat, but he missed the target.
Roberto Firmino went even closer with a shot which struck the crossbar before the two sides took a bit of a breather, preparing for one final assault late on.
It was Dortmund who could have won it with substitute Ciro Immobile teed up by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but Oliver Baumann made a fine save with his leg to deny the Italian and ensure his side took the point which keeps them ahead of Dortmund.
