SINSHEIM: Stuttgart conceded two late goals to lose at Hoffenheim 2-1 and edge closer to relegation as their Bundesliga winless run stretched to nine games on Friday.

Christoph Baumgartner scored a fine individual goal to equalise in the 85th minute and the Austrian grabbed the winner in the last minute as Hoffenheim moved into a Champions League qualification place ahead of the rest of the 24th round.

Hoffenheim also came from behind to beat Wolfsburg last weekend. Sebastian Hoeness’ team has already won more Bundesliga games this season (12) than the 11 they managed in the whole of last season.

But Stuttgart were again left to rue a missed opportunity after Japan midfielder Wataru Endos 58th-minute goal for the visitors. Stuttgart were leading 1-0 against Bochum last weekend when they conceded in injury time and drew.

American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team remains second from bottom in a direct relegation place with 10 games left.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2022