Match report

Goalless draw in the Hamburg derby

The 113th edition of the Hamburg derby was certainly hard-fought, although clear chances were at a premium. Ultimately, the Rothosen and the Kiezkicker shared the spoils at the Millerntor.

Hamburger SV played out a goalless draw away to FC St. Pauli on Friday evening (23rd January) in what was the 113th Hamburg derby. 30,000 fans inside the sold-out Millerntor witnessed an intense first half of this Bundesliga matchday 19 clash, which was littered with duels and just edged by the Rothosen, albeit without recording any big chances. After the break, Luka Vuskovic missed the opportunity to head HSV into what would not have been an undeserved lead (54’), before the home side enjoyed the better of the final quarter of an hour, firing a number of attempts at Daniel Heuer Fernandes. When all was said and done, a point each seemed fair on the balance of play.

Heated but harmless first half ...

Head coach Merlin Polzin made a single switch to his line-up that started the 0-0 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach, bringing in Rössing-Lelesiit for Dompe. A full-throttle first few minutes saw the youngster at the heart of the action, although to his detriment, as he had to be substituted with injury following a foul committed by Adam Dzwigala that earned the St. Pauli defender a yellow card. Fabio Balde (pictured) entered the fray. The opening quarter hour evaporated quickly as a result, imbued by further fouls and stoppages. The Rothosen subsequently sought to take a grip on the game by controlling the ball against a home team that was remaining compact and created their first chance on 23 minutes. A ball over the heads of the back line reached Bakery Jatta, who fired low across goal. Nikola Vasilj parried only to Vuskovic; however, the flag was raised for offside against the HSV player.

With around 30 minutes gone, the hosts created their first and seemingly only threatening chance of the first period but missed an excellent opportunity to head home when Arkadiusz Pyrka mistimed his run as he attempted to meet a driven cross at the far post. HSV responded immediately to that wake-up call, feeding Damion Downs inside the penalty area with a string of passes. However, the January signing was also offside when he shot straight at Vasilj. In stoppage time, Balde registered HSV’s first shot on target. The half-time whistle sounded with the scores level at 0-0 and the xG at 0.07 a-piece.

… is followed by more attacking intent in the second

HSV emerged from the dressing room unchanged but only required a matter of minutes to fire off their opening attempt this time around, as Vuskovic tried his luck from range at the end of a counter attack but directed his shot comfortably over the bar. The second period began much livelier on the whole than the first had ended. The Rothosen looked the more threatening of the sides and no more so than on 54 minutes when they created the game’s first big chance. Miro Muhiem swung in a corner with pace, met cleanly by the head of Vuskovic at the near post; however, the teenager placed his effort right down the throat of a thankful Vasilj.

Polzin changed up his entire forward line in the 67th minute, introducing Robert Glatzel, Rayan Philippe, and Jean-Luc Dompe. Nevertheless, defensive work formed the majority of the rest of HSV’s duties in this one as the Kiezkicker repeatedly looked to play in their pacey half-time substitute, Ricky-Jade Jones. Then, Heuer Fernandes first took no chances in tipping a looping Eric Smith header, following a wide free kick, over the crossbar before being fully tested twice in quick succession. Danel Sinani’s shot from 16 yards and Pyrka’s from 22 yards both produced flying stops from the HSV keeper. The visitors prevented a late winner for the home side but did not find one themselves, either, earning a point at the Millerntor.

STATISTICS:

FC St. Pauli: Vasilj – Dzwigala (65’ Irvine), Wahl, Mets – Pyrka, Sands, Smith, Oppie – Fujita, Kaars (46’ Jones), Pereira Lage (64’ Sinani)

Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes – Capaldo, L. Vuskovic, Torunarigha – Jatta, Vieira (87’ Sambi Lokonga), Remberg, Muheim – Königsdörffer (68’ Philippe), Downs (68’ Glatzel), Rössing-Lelesiit (14’ Balde, 68’ Dompe)

Goals: -

Attendance: 30,000 (sold-out)

Referee: Tobias Welz

Yellow cards: Dzwigala / Remberg