Hoffenheim in control of play-off

Frankfurt, Germany: Roberto Firmino scored two goals and set up another as Hoffenheim beat Kaiserslautern 3-1 in the first leg of the Bundesliga play-off on Thursday.

The winners of the two-leg showdown will play in the Bundesliga next season.

Mohamadou Idrissou’s goal in the 58th minute gives Kaiserslautern hope for the second leg at home on Monday.

Firmino struck in the 11th minute and again in the 29th before providing the pass for substitute Sven Schipplock’s goal in the 67th.

Hoffenheim finished the season in 16th place in the Bundesliga, while Kaiserslautern were third in the second division.

Hoffenheim’s coach Markus Gisddol said his team were in a “comfortable position.” But his counterpart Franco Foda said his team was able to score “two or three goals” at home.

“Hoffenheim had four shots at goal and scored three. We made one mistake too many,” Foda said.