Hoffenheim scored twice in as many first-half minutes to record a 2-0 triumph over Augbsurg on the opening day of their Bundesliga campaign.
The visitors looked lively in the early stages as Hoffenheim struggled to find their form, with Daniel Baier and Tim Matavz both firing just wide of the target from long range.
A fairly tame affair was sparked into life in the 33rd minute when Adam Szalai reacted quickest in a goalmouth scramble to drill home the opener for Hoffenheim.
It took the hosts less than two minutes to double their lead as they dispossessed Augsburg before launching a counter attack, with Tarik Elyounoussi eventually slotting in from Roberto Firmino's cross.
Augsburg were close to pulling one back just moments later, but Oliver Baumann responded well to push Baier's speculative effort past the post.
The visitors struggled to produce a response which would encourage the travelling supporters, with Matavz heading their best chance over the crossbar while under pressure from a couple of defenders.
Hoffenheim appeared happy to settle for just two goals, and invited more pressure in the closing stages as they dropped deeper in an attempt to make their rivals vulnerable on the break.
However, the clear opportunities never arrived late on as Hoffenheim eased to all three points at the Rhein Neckar Arena.
Callum Mulvihill
