LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) – Leipzig beat Hoffenheim 5-0 on Friday, with Brajan Gruda and Christoph Baumgartner scoring twice in a blitz in the first half, seizing momentum in a tight battle for a spot in next season’s Champions League.
The top four teams in the Bundesliga qualify for the Champions League, with Leipzig starting the night in fifth place, three points behind Hoffenheim.
However, they successfully took control and took the lead with their first real attack of the match.
With 17 minutes remaining, Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann was unable to keep out Romulo’s shot and Gruda, a midfielder on loan from Brighton, forced the ball in from close range.
Four minutes later, Baumgartner scored his second goal, heading a cross from David Raum at the back post.
The Austrian striker looked dangerous in and around Hoffenheim’s penalty area, but with a fine finish he scored his second goal and Leipzig’s third after 30 minutes. The former Hoffenheim player received Gruda’s long ball on his chest and fired a volley past Baumann, who was on the ground.
Gruda then made it 4-0 one minute before half-time, putting the match firmly out of the visitors’ reach.
Leipzig defender Benjamin Henrichs wrapped up the dribble late in the second half.
Hoffenheim entered the game with a club-record 50 points after 26 games, but their talismanic midfielder Leon Avdurav was sidelined for the first time this season.
The result was their biggest defeat of the season, and although they were tied with Leipzig on points, they fell back to fifth place.
Stuttgart came in 4th place and Leipzig in 3rd place.
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