Match report
01.10.16
0-2 – HSV play well but lose in Berlin
The Rothosen gave a good account of themselves in their first game under new head coach Markus Gisdol, but a brace of goals by Hertha skipper Vedad Ibisevic did the job for the capital city side.
HSV lost 0-2 away to high-flying Hertha BSC in a Bundesliga matchday 6 encounter in front of 45,000 inside the historic Olympic stadium on Saturday afternoon (01.10). The man of the hour was Berlin captain Vedad Ibesevic who had become a father to a healthy daughter only 24 hours earlier. HSV created good scoring chances but once again were luckless in front of goal. The plucky display by the visitors went unrewarded as Hertha secured what was their third home game of the season, putting them in second place behind “serial” champions Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga table.
Unlucky...
Markus Gisdol reverted from the usual 4-2-3-1 system to a more conventional 4-4-2, with former Berlin men Wood (former Union Berlin) and Lasogga (Hertha) leading the line. Kostic returned on the left wing opposite Müller on the right. Holtby and Ekdal patrolled in front of the back line where Brazilian defender Cleber replaced Hamburg captain Djourou who was ruled out at the last minute with a muscular problem. The 7,000 travelling HSV fans saw their team make a bright start to the game.
The visitors created the opening chances of the game as Müller and Kostic narrowly missed the target (11. and 12.). That double chance signalled the start of a bit of a strange period in the game during which the home side began to asset their authority fifteen minutes into the game, striking the woodwork twice. As Ibisevic opened the scoring after half an hour it had been in the air for some time. The Bosnian had a shot deflected by Lasogga and beyond Berlin keeper Jarstein to break the deadlock. The goal didn’t rattle the visitors – on the contrary: The Rothosen moved up a gear and created further good scoring chances before the break, but Lasogga struck the bar, while a superb interception by Hertha’s Langkamp prevented the former Hertha striker from equalising. Despite their good performance, HSV were a goal behind at the break.
... Ibisevic at the double
HSV made a good start to the second half, displaying a strong will and determination to get back to level terms. They looked useful in their approach work but were simply not clinical enough in front of goal. Berlin’s defence usually had a good grip on things, while they worked well to quickly switch from defence to attack. They created chances to put the game to bed around 20 minutes from the end.
Ekdal struck Stocker’s foot inside the Hamburg box and match referee Winkmann pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Ibisevic to slot home what was his sixth goal of the season to round off his perfect day. HSV for their part were much improved and Müller was caught offside again late on. They received a rapturous reception from their massive contingent of travelling faithful after the game and rightly so. After the break for international games, HSV play Borussia Mönchengladbach away on Saturday October 15. That game kicks off at 3.30 PM.
Match details:
Hertha BSC: Jarstein - Weiser, Langkamp, Stark, Plattenhardt - Skjelbred, Lustenberger - Esswein (90. Kurt), Stocker (73. Allan), Haraguchi - Ibisevic (86. Schieber)
HSV: Adler - Sakai, Cleber, Spahic, Douglas Santos - Müller, Ekdal (71. Gregoritsch), Holtby, Kostic - Lasogga, Wood (60. Halilovic)
Goal: 1:0 Ibisevic (29.), 2:0 Ibisevic (70., FE)
Att: 45.000
Referee: Guido Winkmann (Kerken)
Booked: Plattenhardt (17.), Haraguchi (31.) / Douglas Santos (3.), Holtby (27.), Ekdal (32.), Müller (48.), Cleber (78.), Lasogga (90.)