Hoffenheim back to winning ways in six-goal thriller against Heidenheim

[p]After collecting just one point from their last two games, Hoffenheim made a strong start in their bid to return to winning ways, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/prass-alexander/0pNTmC8s/"]Prass[/a] netting the all-important opener just shy of the 30-minute mark.[/p][p][b]The winger played a slick one-two with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/asllani-fisnik/IsoKFb9C/"]Fisnik Asllani[/a] to create the space to lash a powerful strike in off the underside of the crossbar, representing the 10th time that [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/heidenheim/KWixEVWi/"]Heidenheim[/a] have conceded first in 13 home league games. [/b][/p][p][b]Matters got worse for the Bundesliga’s basement side when Prass added his and Hoffenheim’s second on the stroke of half-time. [/b][/p][p][b]The Austria international latched onto [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kramaric-andrej/6V0rWuu1/"]Andrej Kramaric[/a]’s through ball, shifted the ball onto his favoured left foot and calmly slotted it through [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ramaj-diant/nc3rZ5X6/"]Diant Ramaj[/a]’s legs to complete his first brace for the club, which was confirmed once the initial offside decision had been overturned following a lengthy VAR review. [/b][/p][image alt="Heidenheim - Hoffenheim match stats" id="4c3f5cf0-9f2b-4560-be42-cedaa61c9d4d" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform" guid="77821908-ce33-433b-877c-77eb200024a9" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]In a bid to ignite a fightback, long-serving Heidenheim boss Frank Schmidt made a double change at the break, but to his dismay, it was the visitors who flew out of the blocks to extend their lead within four minutes of the restart.[/p][p][b]Asllani had the simple task of tapping in from Ramaj’s parry to score against Heidenheim for the second time this term. [/b][/p][p][b]Boasting a three-goal advantage, Die Kraichgauer appeared to be in cruise control until a long throw into the box created the opening for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kerber-luca/rse39pvr/"]Luca Kerber[/a] to poke in from close range, giving the hosts a lifeline with just under 30 minutes to play. [/b][/p][p]The comeback appeared to be on when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/conteh-christian/hKBLR8mG/"]Christian Conteh[/a] rifled a fierce shot past [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/baumann-oliver/MZ6BATVO/"]Baumann[/a], although those hopes were short-lived as the goal was chalked off for an offside against his brother, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/conteh-sirlord/WtNFo4A2/"]Sirlord Conteh[/a].[/p][p][b]The spotlight then fell on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lemperle-tim/OYG8XB8m/"]Tim Lemperle[/a], who turned the ball in from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/toure-bazoumana/jqfhZBWt/"]Bazoumana Toure[/a]’s squared ball to restore the away side’s three-goal cushion, only to be involved in the hosts’ second goal just six minutes later as Kerber’s near-post header from a corner deflected in off the Hoffenheim substitute. [/b][/p][p]Kerber’s double ultimately offered little consolation to a Heidenheim side that remains nine points adrift of safety, while the visitors climb up to third spot. [/p][p][b]Flashscore Man of the Match: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/prass-alexander/0pNTmC8s/"]Alexander Prass[/a] ([a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/hoffenheim/hQAtP9Sl/"]Hoffenheim[/a])[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/heidenheim-KWixEVWi/hoffenheim-hQAtP9Sl/summary/stats/?mid=IofboxOE"]Check out all the match stats with Flashscore.[/a][/p]