Déjà-vu as HSV lose 2-1 to Magdeburg

HSV head coach Hannes Wolf made no changes to the team that beat Paderborn in last week’s cup quarterfinal, setting up the team once again in an offensive 3-5-2 system. But the home side struggled to get the ball forward in the early stages, as Magdeburg defended high up the pitch and put the pressure on HSV. As such, the game was mostly contested in the middle of the pitch, with little action in either penalty box. Holtby was denied a chance at goal by a last-ditch tackle, while at the other end Lohkemper saw his goal ruled out for offside. It took a set piece to break the deadlock, with Jatta pouncing on a Douglas free kick and firing low into the back of the net. The visitors were unfazed by the setback, however, and continued to play forward in pursuit of a goal of their own. Papa & Co. stood firm at the back, while Pollersbeck was on red alert to snuff out any Magdeburg danger and ensure HSV held onto the lead at the break.

If the first half was devoid of any real drama, the second half certainly wasn’t – much to HSV’s regret. Within the space of 120 second, Wolf’s team were denied two clear penalties: first for a sliding challenge on Lasogga, then for a handball from the resulting corner. Rather predictably, just minutes after the chaos in the Magdeburg penalty box, the visitors had levelled through Bülter. Instead of being 2-0 up, HSV were now on level terms. If that wasn’t painful enough for Die Rothosen, who face league leaders 1. FC Köln next Monday, the point, which should have been three, was snatched away in the dying seconds of injury time when Türpitz fired a half-volley Pollersbeck.