3–2! HSV Win Absolutely Crazy Match in the Kraichgau Region

Compared with the 2–1 home win over 1. FC Köln in their previous league match, head coach Polzin made four changes to his starting line-up. Grønbæk (muscle tear), El Ouahdi (illness), Moffi and Torunarigha (both initially on the bench) made way for Adeline, Bornauw, Poulsen and Lemke, who had celebrated his 17th birthday just two days earlier.

The Hamburg side made an energetic and positive start in this formation, although the first big chance fell to the hosts. Daghim broke through down the left in a duel with Capaldo and played a low cross towards Lemperle at the far post. His shot from the right-hand edge of the six-yard box was deflected over the bar by Omari (4’).

HSV’s first genuinely dangerous attack came in the 12th minute, and they immediately made their positive start count. Sambi Lokonga delivered a free-kick towards the far post, where Capaldo struck the right-hand post. Centre-forward Poulsen reacted quickest to the rebound and coolly fired home to make it 1–0!

Shortly afterwards, Heuer Fernandes produced a spectacular save in a one-on-one with Lemperle to prevent an equaliser, although the Hoffenheim forward had been offside, a decision that was subsequently given (18’).

Hoffenheim enjoyed more possession as the game progressed, while Hamburg defended compactly and looked for opportunities to counter-attack, backed by around 10,000 vocal HSV supporters who created an atmosphere resembling a home game. Clear-cut chances became increasingly scarce, but another incident on the HSV side soon provided a major talking point.

Captain Remberg had to receive treatment after an awkward twisting movement of his knee and was substituted a short time later in tears. Muheim came on in his place, marking both his return from injury and his first appearance of the season. The natural left-back slotted into defensive midfield alongside Sambi Lokonga.

With Vieira also taking a heavy hit in a challenge with Coufal shortly after the shock of Remberg’s injury, the match became increasingly disjointed in the closing stages of the first half.

In the five minutes of added time, Conte appeared to have equalised for Hoffenheim (45+1’). However, Omari had clearly been fouled by Lemperle in the build-up, prompting referee Harm Osmers to disallow the goal following a VAR review.

Just a few minutes later, the hosts did make it 1–1, this time legitimately. Following the aftermath of a corner, Bornauw inadvertently turned the ball into his own net (45+6’).

Both teams returned from the dressing rooms unchanged. Vieira registered the first attempt of the second half but sent his shot well wide to the left (50’).

Overall, the Rothosen appeared to be finding their rhythm again, until Conte made up for the first Bundesliga goal he had narrowly missed out on towards the end of the first half. The newly capped international struck a superb low shot from the edge of the penalty area, guiding the ball precisely into the net via the inside of the right-hand post to make it 2–1 in the 53rd minute.

After an hour, head coach Polzin made his next substitution, bringing Stange on for Poulsen. Hoffenheim also responded by introducing Kramaric and Hlozek to form a new strike partnership.

The next pivotal moment soon followed. Möller Wolfe threatened to break through down the right-hand edge of the penalty area, and Bernardo could only stop him with a foul. Having already been booked, the Brazilian received a second yellow card and was sent off. HSV therefore had a numerical advantage for the final half-hour or so.

The Rothosen pressed relentlessly for an equaliser. Polzin responded with a triple substitution, bringing Rössing-Lelesiit back into action after a lengthy injury lay-off. Amoako and Moffi also came on.

Moffi subsequently sent Stange through on goal, and the latter celebrated what appeared to be a hugely popular equaliser to make it 2–2. However, the HSV striker had gained an advantage through a push on Coufal and a handball in the build-up. Once again, VAR intervened to disallow the goal (80’).

Just as Hoffenheim had done shortly before half-time, HSV responded by finding a legitimate goal only a short time later. Muheim delivered a cross, and Moffi powered a header into the net to make it 2–2 (83’).

But HSV were not done yet. They were going all out for the win!

Vieira initially failed to beat Baumann in a one-on-one after being played through by Capaldo (88’), but then won the decisive corner in stoppage time. The Portuguese midfielder took the corner himself, and Hranac headed the ball clear towards the edge of the penalty area. Muheim met it with a first-time strike, sending the ball into the bottom-left corner to make it 3–2!

With the Swiss defender scoring his first Bundesliga goal, the absolute HSV madness against Hoffenheim was finally complete.