Leaders Hoffenheim build on Bayern shock

BERLIN: Hoffenheim head coach Sebastian Hoeness admits he would rather the early Bundesliga leaders were second in the table as they look to follow up their shock win over Bayern Munich.

Bayern, the European champions, saw their record 23match winning streak abruptly ended last Sunday at unfancied Hoffenheim, who now top the league on goal difference.

It was Bayern's first loss in ten months and generated plenty of headlines in the German media.

"To be honest, I would've preferred us to be second," Hoeness said after Andrej Kramaric scored twice to seal a 4-1 win over Bayern, "because that's all that's going to be talked about," which is what happened.

For Hoeness, beating Bayern is no more than a confidence booster "up our sleeve" for Saturday's next match at third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, who are also unbeaten after two league games.

The 38-year-old joined Hoffenheim in July after a season coaching Bayern's reserves when they won the third division league title.

"Too good, too soon for Bayern's plans," commented Munichbased newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

"Sebastian Hoeness shone in his first season as reserve coach and Bayern was caught off guard by interest from Hoffenheim."

To make matters worse for the Bavarians, the Hoeness surname is synonymous with Bayern Munich.

His father is former West Germany and Munich striker Dieter Hoeness, while uncle Uli Hoeness is the club's out-spoken honorary president, who helped turn Bayern into a European powerhouse.

"I've lived with it all my life, I've always called myself Hoeness, and that name polarises," admitted the Hoffenheim coach.

"Of course, I sometimes wish I could be recognised as Sebastian, and not as Hoeness, but I have to live with it."

Starting the season with wins over Cologne and Bayern has earned Hoeness praise from his employers.

"He is very competent, his work is meticulous, and he puts the team first," enthused Hoffenheim sports director Alexander Rosen.