Hoffenheim double up to leave Schalke rock bottom
A penalty from Ihlas Bebou and an own goal from Alex Kral took Hoffenheim five points clear of the relegation spots, with a 2-0 home win over Schalke on Sunday.
Hoffenheim, who collected just one point from their first nine league matches in 2023, continued their strong form, having won their last three. Around 10,000 Schalke fans made the trip south, packing out the 30,000-seat Rhein Neckar Arena, with their side entering the match in last place after Stuttgart's win at Bochum earlier on Sunday.
Hoffenheim struck first when former Manchester City wing back Angelino delivered a dangerous cross into the box, the ball rebounding off Schalke's Kral and into the net. Japan defender Maya Yoshida brought down Hoffenheim's Christoph Baumgartner in the second half, the referee pointing to the spot.
Bebou scored the penalty to give his side a 2-0 lead and a crucial three points amid a tight relegation battle. Schalke, having gone unbeaten in eight matches, have now lost two in a row and sit bottom of the ladder with seven matches remaining this season.
Schalke striker Marius Buelter said simply "we didn't get it right, it hurts" while goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann called on his side to win Friday's "brutal" match against second-last Hertha Berlin.