Hoffenheim U23 Lose 3-1 to Viktoria Köln in Third League Match

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim II suffered a 3-1 defeat (1-1) against FC Viktoria Köln on Sunday evening. The third-division clash was decided in favor of the Rhineland side in the closing stages.

Hoffenheim’s starting eleven was significantly altered compared to the previous week’s 3-1 loss at SC Verl. Six new players took to the field, including the return of Kelven Frees after a months-long injury absence sustained in August during the match against FC Hansa Rostock (1-0). Valentin Lässig and Luka Đurić, who had recently been named in the Bundesliga squad, also featured in the starting lineup.

The first half was evenly contested, reflected in the 1-1 scoreline at the break. Yannick Tonye opened the scoring for Köln with a solo effort in the 20th minute. Hoffenheim responded five minutes later when Luka Đurić set up Deniz Zeitler, who fired a shot into the right corner to equalize.

The second half proved to be a tight affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. Hoffenheim’s best chance fell to Oskar Hencke in the 73rd minute, after a misplaced pass from Köln left him with a clear sight of goal. However, Hencke’s shot narrowly missed the left post.

Köln took the lead in the 79th minute when Jakon Sachse headed home a cross from Münst. The U23 side were unable to recover, and Benjamin Zank extended Köln’s advantage with a shot into the left corner in the 82nd minute, sealing a 3-1 victory.

Hoffenheim’s next match is scheduled for Friday at 7:00 PM against TSV 1860 München.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim II – FC Viktoria Köln 1:3 (1:1)

Hoffenheim: L. Philipp – Abraha (84. Dağdeviren), Frees (70. Bähr), Lührs, Lässig – Engelns, Đurić – Hennrich (84. Makanda), Llugiqi (84. Honajzer), Zeitler – Eduardo (68. Hencke).

Köln: Schulz – Sponsel, Dietz, Boboy – Kozuki (46. Popp), Engelhardt (76. Kloss), Münst (90. Velasco), Tonye (63. Eisenhuth), Handle – Otto (76. Sachse) – Zank.

Goals: 0-1 Tonye (20.), 1-1 Zeitler (25.), 1-2 Sachse (79.), 1-3 Zank (82.).

Attendance: 649.

Referee: Kabalakli.

Cards: Yellow cards for Engelns, Eduardo, Frees, Abraha, Makanda, Đurić / Sponsel, Boboy, Zank.