TSG Hoffenheim 1–0 Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | 09 May 2026

Result Summary

A hard-fought afternoon at the PreZero Arena ended in a narrow but thoroughly deserved victory for TSG Hoffenheim, who secured all three points courtesy of Bazoumana Touré's 26th-minute strike, assisted by the influential Andrej Kramaric. The result was shaped dramatically within the opening five minutes, as Werder Bremen were reduced to ten men following Yukinari Sugawara's red card — a dismissal that fundamentally altered the complexion of the entire contest.

Match Analysis

The defining moment arrived before the match had truly begun to settle. A VAR review in the 4th minute led to Sugawara's red card for a foul in the 5th minute, leaving Daniel Thioune's side with an enormous mountain to climb for over 85 minutes of football. The numerical disadvantage was immediately reflected in how both teams approached the game.

Christian Ilzer's Hoffenheim wasted little time exploiting their advantage. Kramaric pulled the strings in midfield, feeding Touré, who slotted home with his left foot in the 26th minute to break the deadlock. It was a clinical finish that rewarded Hoffenheim's sustained early pressure and gave them the platform to control proceedings.

The statistics tell an emphatic story. Hoffenheim dominated 72% of ball possession against Bremen's 28%, and their superiority in attack was stark — 133 total attacks to Bremen's 50, and a remarkable 97 dangerous attacks compared to just 15 from the visitors. Hoffenheim also generated 15 total shots, putting 4 on target, while Bremen managed 11 shots but only 2 on target, reflecting how disciplined Hoffenheim's defensive structure was despite their comfort in possession. The 87% successful pass percentage for Hoffenheim versus 65% for Bremen further underlines the home side's complete control.

To Bremen's credit, they did not capitulate. Cameron Puertas picked up a yellow card in the 41st minute for time wasting — a sign that the visitors were doing everything possible to manage the game and disrupt Hoffenheim's rhythm. Late in the match, Justin Njinmah and another Bremen player were booked in the 88th minute following an argument, suggesting frustrations boiled over as time ran out. Hoffenheim's own Bernardo Fernandes da Silva Junior was cautioned in the 66th minute for a foul, the only real blemish on an otherwise controlled performance.

Hoffenheim also rang the changes efficiently, bringing on Alexander Prass, Robin Hranáč, William Cole Campbell, Adam Hložek, and Grischa Prömel as the match wore on to manage the result and freshen legs. Bremen attempted to inject energy through Samuel Mbangula, Marco Grüll, and Maximilian Wöber, but the damage had long been done.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match forecast called for a 2–1 Hoffenheim victory, with a 62% probability assigned to a home win. While the scoreline ended 1–0 rather than 2–1, the outcome — a Hoffenheim win — was correctly anticipated. With a confidence rating of 63/100, this was never a straightforward prediction, but the underlying logic proved sound. Hoffenheim's home strength and attacking intent were well-reflected in the final stats, even if a second goal never materialised.

Key Takeaways

• Sugawara's early red card was the pivotal moment, gifting Hoffenheim a structural advantage they never relinquished.
• Touré's composed finish, set up by Kramaric, was the difference between the two sides.
• Hoffenheim's dominant possession and attacking output confirmed their superiority, though a one-goal margin perhaps slightly flatters Bremen.
• Despite the man disadvantage, Werder Bremen showed resilience, limiting Hoffenheim to just 4 shots on target across 90 minutes.