Hoffenheim – Freiburg: Hoffenheim secure record 8th home win as Freiburg collapse after the break (3-0)

Christian Ilzer’s Hoffenheim continues to be the story of the Bundesliga season, as a clinical second-half performance dismantled SC Freiburg at the PreZero Arena on February 14, 2026. Despite a cagey first half where the visitors held firm, Hoffenheim’s tactical persistence and set-piece efficiency secured a 3-0 victory, moving them to a historic 8th consecutive home win.

Tactical analysis and match report by Aderemi Qoyum.

TSG Hoffenheim entered matchday 22 seeking redemption after a 5-1 thrashing by Bayern Munich ended their seven-match unbeaten run. Despite that blow, Christian Ilzer’s side remained in third place, protected by a perfect home record of seven straight wins.

Conversely, SC Freiburg arrived following a 1-0 win over Werder Bremen and a DFB-Pokal victory against Hertha Berlin. Though historically dominant against Hoffenheim with a nine-match unbeaten streak in the fixture, Freiburg’s poor away form, just one win in nine, suggested a vulnerable defense ripe for exploitation.

Hoffenheim, high on confidence despite a heavy loss to Bayern last week, set up in a fluid 4-3-3 designed to dominate the central axis and attack the right flank. Oliver Baumann was protected by a solid back four of Vladimír Coufal, Ozan Kabak, Robin Hranáč, and Albian Hajdari. The engine room featured Leon Avdullahu, Wouter Burger, and Grischa Prömel, while Andrej Kramarić and Bazoumana Touré supported Fisnik Asllani.

Freiburg, with Lars Voßler leading the side for the suspended Julian Schuster, opted for a 4-2-3-1 to emphasize wide transitions. Noah Atubolu started in goal behind Matthias Ginter, Bruno Ogbus, Philipp Treu and Christian Günter. The midfield . . .