Two first-half goals gave Hoffenheim a 2-0 win over FA Augsburg in the Bundesliga this afternoon.
Kevin Volland and Roberto Firmino both had chances saved inside the opening 10 minutes as the home side dominated from the start.
They continued to press and managed to break the deadlock less than 20 minutes into the match when Sejad Salihovic blasted the ball in from a free kick 20 yards out.
Andre Hahn almost leveled for the visitors two minutes later as he tried to slot the ball in from a Sascha Molders delivery, but Jens Grahl made the save.
However, Hoffenheim were able to extend their lead shortly before the end of the first half as Jannik Vestergaard headed in from a corner.
Salihovic almost scored his second of the match just after the restart as he drilled the ball towards goal with a shot from outside the box, but it was tipped over.
Alexander Esswein and Halil Altintop both tried to get Augsburg back into the game, but the former saw his effort saved, while Altintop's effort went wide.
Altintop continued to look like Augsburg's best chance to get a goal back, but the home side continued to see plenty of the ball as full time approached, allowing them to see out the win.
The result leaves Hoffenheim ninth in the table, while Augsburg sit eighth.
Sian Cowper
