Freiburg vs. Hoffenheim

The visitors poured on pressure from the opening whistle, and they nearly took the lead when Sejad Salihovic was denied by Simon Pouplin from close range after three minutes had been played.

Freiburg never found a way into the game as they lacked any meaningful possession in midfield, and their lack of an attacking threat helped Hoffenheim go in front in the 39th minute.

Carlos Eduardo made a dashing run up the pitch and slid in a pass for countryman Maicosuel, and the Brazilian's precision finish could only be touched into the net by Pouplin.

Hoffenheim kept it up in the second half, but Pouplin was fantastic in between the posts, allowing Freiburg to at least have a chance for an equalizer, although that chance never came.

The win put Hoffenheim just three back of leaders Bayer Leverkusen in a very crowded top part of the Bundesliga table.