Bundesliga roundup: Title rivals Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund win big on opening weekend
By Ben McNicol
FC Köln 2-3 Hoffenheim
It was the Andrej Kramaric show at RheinEnergieStadion as the consistent Croatian scored a hat-trick to secure a fantastic win away from home for Hoffenheim.
The striker, who scored 12 goals in 19 Bundesliga game last season (including four goals in one game against Borussia Dortmund) put his side ahead twice before being pinned back, but Kramaric slammed home the winner in second-half stoppage time to seal a memorable win for Hoffenheim. The Croatian international now has seven goals in his last three appearances. New signing Sebastian Andersson scored for FC Köln in one of the few encouraging signs from the game for the Billy Goats.
Stuttgart 2-3 Freiburg
Freiburg were one of last season’s surprise packages, recording their highest ever top-flight finish in eight place. And on Saturday, they were made to sweat as they nearly thew away a 3-0 lead away to newly promoted Stuttgart.
Goals from Nils Petersen, Roland Sallai and Vincenzo Grifo had Christian Streich’s side in cruise control. But two quickfire goals from Sasa Kalajdzic and Silas Wamangituka set up a nervy final fifteen minutes, however credit must go to Freiburg, who managed to grind out the points despite having just 35% of the ball.