Niko Kovac said "hunters" Bayern Munich are desperate to chase Borussia Dortmund and seal the title after increasing the pressure on the Bundesliga leaders.
German champions Bayern moved within three points of Dortmund following a 3-1 victory at Hoffenheim as the Bundesliga returned on Friday.
Leon Goretzka's first-half double and Robert Lewandowski's late sealer saw Bayern to their sixth successive league victory.
Speaking afterwards, Bayern head coach Kovac said: "The first half was sensational. That was our ambition, that's what we're able to do.
"The result is good, we got off to a good start to the second half of the season and increased the pressure.