Hoffenheim missed the chance to go second in the Bundesliga after playing out a 1-1 draw with Cologne.
Podolski strike cancelled out by Ba
Hoffenheim missed the chance to go second in the Bundesliga after playing out a 1-1 draw with Cologne.
Hoffenheim made a perfect start to the season by winning their opening three games but have stuttered over the past couple of weeks.
And they fell behind after just 17 minutes at the Rhein Energie Stadion when Germany international Lukas Podolski fired home following a pass from Mato Jajalo.
Cologne have steadily improved since losing their first two matches and were looking to pick up three points to push on into mid-table.
But Hoffenheim equalised through a Demba Ba strike early in the second half and neither team could find a winner.
The result leaves Cologne in 13th position and Hoffenheim third ahead of the rest of the weekend's games.
The pick of the action this Saturday sees Bayern Munich travel to surprise leaders Mainz, who have collected a maximum 15 points so far.
