01.10.2018

After disappointment comes another chance

The disenchanting derby will be forgotten about and the players will instead focus on putting together a better performance in Darmstadt on Friday. That is the plan from an energetic Christian Titz, who explained the team’s current situation in a press release.

Review

When Markus Schmidt ended the derby on Sunday with the last blow of his whistle, the disappointment of the HSV players was almost palpable. Many players sank to the ground and buried their heads in their hands. Despite their efforts, the Rothosen once again scored no goals, meaning the side had to settle for one point. Especially when considering the special occasion that is the derby, it was particularly painful to see a goalless draw between the sides. This result put Titz’s protégés in the foreground, as they were very self-critical of the lack of offensive threat.

The only praise for yesterday’s game was for the HSV fans in the stadium, who, with few exceptions, left an excellent impression on the match and supported the team over the entirety of the game excellently. However, this support did not aid the team to victory, which was not possible due to the lack of creativity in the attacking third and a very compact St. Pauli defence, which allowed for only a few gaps. In the last game before the international break (the sixth game in 21 days) HSV have a chance in Darmstadt to get three points. Head coach Christian Titz is working towards that target with all his power, which he explained in the press release on Monday.

The HSV head coach spoke in detail about…

At the moment there is a lot of room for improvement going forward – the coach wants to tackle this issue promptly.

… the disappointment after the derby:

We would have liked to win the game. We are now analysing the game in great detail. In many individual and team discussions, we are looking at what we can do better in the future. For the players, the game lingers in their minds a little bit longer, but we coaches shouldn’t be disappointed for long.

… the few efforts at goal:

It’s clear that I wasn’t happy with that. I am, however, realistic and know that over the course of the season, there are sometimes games where it is better not to be overly offensive in your play. At the moment it’s important that we do not lose belief and the players get stronger. After the home defeat against Regensburg we wanted to be more defensively stable – so that’s what we did. Of course on the opposite side we now need to work on going forward. I am totally convinced that our strong forwards will find their form.

The defensive stability is fundamental tactic for Titz and will be improved on in future.

… the criticism of his squad:

I think it was obvious that after three winless games, there will be a media echo. However, this is not about me but instead about us and working with the team to reach our target. I do not want my energy used to discuss topics that I have no influence over. We try to keep things from the outside away from the team. I focus on the things I can do.

… good reason for a timely upswing in form:

We have already demonstrated that we can play very good offensive football. That’s the reason we have won a lot of games. A few days ago we were still the league leaders. After getting two points from three games, everything that people thought was good before is now seen as bad. We do not want to sugar coat things, but we know that this team is still in development. It was clear from the beginning that we would need time to stabilise ourselves. Once we have found that stability, then we are certain that we can regularly decide games ourselves.

No show from HSV

HSV head coach Markus Gisdol was forced into changing his team ahead of the trip south. Long term injured first choice keeper Adler was still recovering from a broken rib before his understudy Mathenia also got injured and was ruled out of the matchday 31 encounter. Up stepped under-21 stopper Mikel to the fray. Key winger Kostic who scored the only goal of the game between the two sides on matchday 14 was suspended so his place went to Austrian Gregoritsch. Ostrzolek got the nod at left back ahead of Douglas Santos while Walace replaced Jung in defensive midfield. Gisdol made four changes in all to the side which lost 1-2 at home to relegation certainties Darmstadt last time out. The new-look formation struggled early on. Augsburg created three top scoring opportunities within the opening 20 minutes. New keeper Mikel managed to keep out efforts by Kohr and Schmid and was grateful to be able to watch a Stafylidis free kick fizz narrowly wide of target. On 22 minutes the visitors were in luck again as an Altintop effort struck the left hand post with Mikel beaten. It seemed to the capacity crowd including yet another sold out contingent of travelling HSV faithful that it weould only be a matter of time before the home side would break the deadlock and they did as Altintop rounded off two counter attacks on 28 and 41 minutes to make the halftime score 2-0 to Augsburg. Mickel was powerless on both occasions and was HSV’s best man before the break.

Deserved defeat

Lasogga came on for Gregoritsch and Jung replaced Walace at the start of the second half as Gisdol opted for a two-pronged attack. Later Jatta replaced Ostrzolek. The ploy simply didn’t work as the Rothosen had more of the ball than in the previous half but were completely harmless in front of goal. Augsburg played a much more intelligent game and struck the woodwork again through Baier. That superior intelligence was underlined late on as Augsburg struck twice through Max and substitute Bobadilla (76., 85.). It was game over for HSV who failed to threaten until the 84th minute for Lasogga and Wood to miss chances. It was simply not good enough and the Rothosen remain just one point above the relegation play off spot in the table. Matchday 22 sees Gisdol and Co. host Mainz who are level on points but two places better due to a superior goal difference. Only a win will do as the teams lock horns at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg next Sunday (07.05.17, 3.30 PM).

Match details:

FC Augsburg:

Hitz - Verhaegh, Gouweleeuw, Hinteregger, Stafylidis - Kohr, D. Baier (88. Callsen-Bracker) - Schmid, Halil Altintop (80. Bobadilla), Max (87. Ji) - Finnbogason

HSV:

Mickel - Diekmeier, K. Papadopoulos, Mavraj, Ostrzolek (63. Jatta) - Sakai, Walace (46. Jung) - Gregoritsch (46. Lasogga), Holtby, Hunt - Wood

Goals:

1:0 Altintop (28.), 2:0 Altintop (41.), 3:0 Max (76.), 4:0 Bobadilla (85.)

Booked:

Baier (48.) / Mavraj (33.), Gregoritsch (44.), Ostrzolek (51.), Holtby (72.)

Referee:

Manuel Gräfe (Berlin)

Att:

30.660 (sold out)