Ibišević kicked off the 2008–09 season in good fashion, scoring two goals in 1899 Hoffenheim's first ever appearance in Bundesliga against Energie Cottbus with the game ending in a 3–0 win. He scored another goal on his second game against Borussia Mönchengladbach, giving his team the victory. In his third Bundesliga match for the club, he scored his fourth goal of the season against Bayer Leverkusen, although his side lost 5–2. He scored another two goals in 4–1 win over Borussia Dortmund. He even scored a goal against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in a 1–2 loss. During the first half of 1899 Hoffenheim's debut season in the top flight, Ibišević recorded 18 goals and seven assists in 17 games, making him the league's top scorer before he was injured. He was voted Bundesliga Player of the Month for October 2008.