Bundesliga also-rans Hoffenheim and Hertha met in a battle pitting fourth and fifth in the German top division. Hoffenheim would ultimately win 3-1, climbing above Borussia Dortmund and into third in the table — only 14 points behind Bayern Munich.
The match featured two must-watch but starkly contrasting goals. Peter Pekarik opened the scoring for Hertha after a truly bizarre assist from Alexander Esswein. It was just an awful mis-hit, but that stupid cliche they all count the same.
There it is, the first goal of #GoalMania!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2017
With the scores level at 1-1, Niklas Sule scored the match-winner with this belter from outside the box. Sule’s really good, and Hoffenheim are kind of close to Bayern Munich in the table, so he’s on his way to Munich this summer on a five-year deal. That’s just the way it works in the Bundesliga.
WHAT. A. STRIKE! Niklas Süle puts Hoffenheim in the lead with a wonder goal! #GoalMania #BSCTSG https://t.co/pSvYQqTUmA
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2017
That dude's a center back.
Hoffenheim’s total of 48 points after 26 matches is fast approaching their greatest-ever point total in the Bundesliga, which was 55 back in 2008-09.