Hoffenheim 2 - 1 Hertha BSC Berlin: Hoffenheim eighth as Hertha stay up

Posted Sunday, May 24, 2015 by PA

Hoffenheim ended the season with the win their coach Markus Gisdol wanted with Anthony Modeste and Roberto Firmino on target in a 2-1 victory over Hertha Berlin.

Modeste put Hoffenheim in front after eight minutes, but Roy Beerens equalised for the Old Lady, who needed a point to be certain of their place in the Bundesliga next season.

Firmino's goal was enough to take Hoffenheim up to eighth while results at the bottom ensured Hertha stayed up anyway, despite defeat in Sinsheim.

Firmino returned for Hoffenheim, who announced prior to kick-off that forward Kevin Volland had extended his contract until 2019.

Hertha needed only to avoid defeat to stay up, but they could not have made much worse of a start, falling behind after eight minutes to a Modeste goal.

He met Firmino's cross with a sweet shot which left Thomas Kraft no chance in the Hertha goal, increasing the visitors' still slim relegation fears.

Results elsewhere were not too worrying for Hertha, though, but they still will have felt relieved when Beerens brought them level in the 72nd minute.

He picked up a deflected ball to strike low past Oliver Baumann just eight minutes after taking to the field for a luckless Salomon Kalou, who had wasted Berlin's best chances up to then.

Berlin's fans were forced to reach for their radios again when Firmino pounced to score after Kraft only parried David Abraham's diverted effort.

It did not prove to be all that costly, though, with Berlin still staying up on goal difference ahead of Hamburg, who face a relegation play-off.