Hoffenheim have beaten Kaiserslautern 3-1 in the first leg of their 2.Bundesliga playoff at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.

The hosts took the lead in the 11th minute when Roberto Firmino pounced at the near post to convert Sejad Salihovic's cross.

Firmino bagged his second goal of the game 20 minutes later as he added the finishing touch to a slick passing move.

Kaiserslautern reduced the deficit on the hour when Mohamadou Idrissou collected Alexander Baumjohann's pass before firing in.

However, Hoffenheim scored again soon after thanks to substitute Sven Schipplock's confident effort.

The two sides will meet for the second leg at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion on Monday.