AMSTERDAM – A pair of Americans celebrated Bundesliga victories on Sunday, with John Anthony Brooks among the Hertha Berlin standouts in a snowy 1-0 home win over Hoffenheim and Alfredo Morales setting up Ingolstadt’s final goal in their victory against Darmstadt.
Brooks helped protect a lead offered up by a Hoffenheim own goal on the half hour with his game-best five pass interceptions, four clearances and three tackles. He had a close shave of his own in stoppage time, when he cut out a cross only to have his clearance buzz a bit close to the Hertha frame. Nevertheless, they held on to win for the fourth time in five games at Olympic Stadium, bumping Fabian Johnson and Borussia Mönchengladbach from the fourth Champions League slot in the process.
In the nightcap that closed out round 13 of Bundesliga play, Alfredo Morales set up the late insurance tally in Ingolstadt's 3-1 rally win over guests Darmstadt.
Two minutes from time, Morales beat his man on the flank to cross for Moritz Hartmann to nod home the capper. In addition to notching his second assist of the season, Morales won seven aerial duels and earned five free kicks for his gritty efforts. Thanks to their first win in five, the promoted Audi boys jumped to eighth place, one point back of the European slots.
