Pierre-Michel Lasogga scored a late winner for Hamburger SV as Hoffenheim slipped to a 1-0 defeat to miss the chance to climb out of the relegation zone this evening.
Despite winning just once this season, Hoffenheim started the game impressively and threatened to take an early lead when Pirmin Schwegler's low strike from the edge of the box forced Rene Adler into a fine save.
As the first half progressed, it was Hamburg who looked the more likely of the sides to find the breakthrough, with Ivo Ilicevic testing Oliver Baumann shortly before Michael Gregoritsch headed over from Dennis Diekmeier's cross.
Chances would continue to arrive for the visitors, but Hoffenheim fought to remain on level terms as Baumann produced an impressive stop after Nicolai Muller had beaten the offside trap.
Despite sharing possession evenly for long spells, Hoffenheim lacked a cutting edge and they were left breathing a sigh of relief when Gregoritsch headed wide from Lewis Holtby's free kick early in the second half.
The hosts looked more comfortable as the second half progressed, but their task was made much tougher when Ermin Bicakcic was shown his second yellow card for stopping a Hamburg break.
Marcelo Diaz threatened to take advantage just a few minutes later when he curled a free kick agonisingly wide from 25 yards.
After being pegged back for most of the latter stages, Hoffenheim almost snatched an unlikely win late on when a loose ball dropped to Mark Uth, whose strike from the edge of the box was beaten away by Adler.
However, the late twist would silence the home fans as Sven Schipplock found the space to pick out Lasogga, who converted from close range to secure the points.
Callum Mulvihill
