A draw in Wolfsburg should be enough for Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim will likely play in the Bundesliga next season as well. The draw in Wolfsburg helps, even though the match had started poorly.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim took a giant step toward remaining in the Bundesliga on Friday with a 2-2 (1-1) draw at VfL Wolfsburg. On the penultimate matchday, Leo Östigaard (1st minute, own goal) and Jonas Wind (81st minute) scored for Wolfsburg, while Pavel Kaderabek (34th minute) and Marius Bülter (84th minute) scored for Hoffenheim.

Theoretically, Hoffenheim could still slip into the relegation zone, but for that to happen, Heidenheim, currently in 16th place, would need two clear wins. Furthermore, a point on the final matchday against champions FC Bayern Munich would be enough for TSG.

"We showed our morale again," said Hoffenheim's goalscorer Bülter. "We fell behind twice again and came back again – that speaks volumes for us, speaks volumes for the team's character." For the ninth time, Hoffenheim's comeback experts have scored after falling behind – a Bundesliga best this season.

At Wolfsburg, former U19 coach Daniel Bauer made his first appearance as interim coach. His predecessor, Ralph Hasenhüttl, was dismissed after the recent 4-0 defeat to Dortmund.

VfL had recently won only two of their 16 competitive matches, thus eliminating them from the race for a European spot. Following the next draw, Wolfsburg are now winless in nine Bundesliga matches.

The first goal came after just 18 seconds. Patrick Wimmer won the ball from Bülter, played it to Mohamed Amoura on the half-right, and his sharp cross from the goal line bounced off Östigaard's leg and into the net. "I can't lose the ball there, otherwise the goal won't be scored. That was my thing," said Bülter.

In this Bundesliga season, only one goal was scored earlier: Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich scored after just 15 seconds on matchday 3 against Holstein Kiel.

After an evenly matched half hour, the courageous Hoffenheim equalized – and it was a sight to behold. Kaderabek volleyed a Bülter cross at the far post and fired a powerful, technically powerful shot into the right corner.

The second half was short on highlights, with Hoffenheim still the dangerous team. But Wolfsburg scored the next goal: after a corner, striker Wind headed in from close range.

Hoffenheim needed just three minutes to respond, capitalizing on a slip by Joakim Maehle. After his missed shot, Adam Hlozek crossed to Bülter, who chested the ball down and placed a precise shot into the right corner. Hoffenheim were very lucky in stoppage time, as Wolfsburg's Konstantinos Koulierakis hit the post by just centimeters.

Both clubs will be happy to see their disastrous season come to an end next week. Wolfsburg will play Mönchengladbach, while Hoffenheim will face champions Munich at the same time and be able to witness the presentation of the championship trophy.

• football
• Bundesliga
• VfL Wolfsburg
• TSG 1899 Hoffenheim