Hoffenheim humble Hamburg, Schalke level with Bayern

Europa League semi-finalists Hamburg were humbled 5-1 at Hoffenheim on Sunday in the Bundesliga with strikers Chinedu Obasi and Vedad Ibisevic both scoring twice for the hosts in the rout.

Having been held to a goalless draw by Fulham in the first-leg of the Europa League semi-final last Thursday, Hamburg were left stunned at Hoffenheim after conceding two goals after barely ten minutes, both from Ibisevic.

Bruno Labbadia’s Hamburg side dropped out of the Bundesliga title race several weeks ago, but looked lethargic as mid-table Hoffenheim unlocked their defence with relative ease.

Both of Obasi’s goals took advantage of poor defending, particularly for his second goal when the Nigerian was allowed to go one-on-one with Hamburg goalkeeper Frank Rost, who stood no chance, on 73 minutes.

Hamburg midfielder Robert Tesche had hit a long-range equaliser on 65 minutes, but Hoffenheim kept the scoreboard ticking over when midfielder Sejad Salihovic took further advantage of the poor defence to make it 5-1 on 76 minutes.

To compound their misery with injury time approaching, Hamburg’s second-half replacement Tolgay Arslan was shown a straight red card for a dangeous tackle.

The defeat leaves Hamburg seventh in the table with Hoffenheim 11th.

League leaders Bayern Munich were held 1-1 at Moenchengladbach on Saturday, while Schalke drew level on 64 points with two games left after sneaking a 1-0 win at bottom side Hertha Berlin with a late goal.

Germany striker Miroslav Klose spared Bayern Munich’s blushes on with a second-half equaliser to seal the draw at ‘Gladbach.

After Bayern beat Lyon 1-0 in the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final last Wednesday, Klose came off the bench to score only his third league goal of the season and keep his side top of the Bundesliga.

French midfielder Franck Ribery, who is being investigated as part of the under-age call-girl scandal rocking the French football team, played the full game, but was booed on occasion at the sold-out Borussia Park.

German Cup finalists Bayern’s draw also keeps them on course for the treble with the Champions League semi-final second leg at Lyon to come on Tuesday.

Bottom side Hertha Berlin are now almost certain to be relegated at the end of the season after Schalke captain Heiko Westermann scored their winner on 87 minutes, putting his side level with Bayern on 64 points.

Werder Bremen are third in the league having beaten Cologne 1-0 with a last-minute goal as captain Torsten Frings scored a 91st-minute penalty after defender Pedro Geromel gave away the spot kick with a handball. Geromel was also red-carded.

Bayer Leverkusen are fourth after a 3-0 win over struggling Hanover.

Dortmund stayed in the hunt for third place, and a potential Champions League place for next season, with a 3-2 win at relegation candidates Nuremberg as striker Lucas Barrios scored a hat-trick to put his side fifth.

Mid-table Mainz were held to a 3-3 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.

On Friday, Stuttgart enjoyed a 2-0 win at Bochum which gave Christian Gross’ side their 15th win of the season to leave them sixth and on the verge of a European place for next season.