The greatest success in Hoffenheim’s history came under Julian Nagelsmann: in 2017/18 Hoffe stormed to third place in the Bundesliga and direct qualification for the Champions League. The decision came on 12 May 2018 in the direct showdown with Borussia Dortmund, which Hoffenheim won 3–1. A year earlier Nagelsmann’s men had already reached the playoff round for the Champions League by finishing fourth, though Liverpool ended that dream with a 2–1 and 4–2 aggregate victory.