Match report

HSV beaten 2-1 by Hertha

DESPITE TAKING THE LEAD IN THE 25TH MINUTE THROUGH DOUGLAS SANTOS, HSV WERE BEATEN 2-1 AT HOME ON MATCHDAY 27 AFTER A SECOND-HALF COMEBACK BY THE VISITORS.

HSV let all three points slip away on Christian Titz’s debut as head coach. The Rothosen started the match very well, taking the lead in the 25th minute through Douglas, and went into the break deservedly in front. But the visitors turned the game around in the second half, equalising through Valentino Lazaro before substitute Salomon Kalou came off the bench to grab the winner just seven minutes later.

Bold offensive pressing...

New head coach Christian Titz sent his team out in a new 4-1-4-1 attacking formation against the Berlin side, making six changes to the team that were beaten by Bayern last weekend. Julian Pollersbeck got the nod over Christian Mathenia in goal, Gideon Jung replaced Kyriakos Papadopoulos in central defence, while Matti Steinmann from the U21s was brought in to holding midfield. Tatsuya Ito and Fiete Arp returned in attack. The objective was to play bold, attacking football – and that’s exactly how HSV played in the first half, with a fast-paced, high-pressing strategy. Ito caused the Berliners all sorts of problems down the left side, getting down to the touchline and whipping crosses into the danger zone. Wave after wave of attacks followed for Hamburg, but a shot from the edge of the box from Douglas Santos was the only significant chance.

The visitors improved after 20 minutes, but saw two big chances kept out sensationally by an impressive Pollersbeck. Just as Hertha looked to be getting a grip on the game, however, Titz’s men combined with some beautiful passing, before releasing Douglas one-on-one with Jarstein – the Brazilian slotting through the Hertha keeper’s legs for his first HSV goal. With the one goal lead, the Rothosen looked to further assert their dominance, retaining possession and driving attacks forward. When the half-time whistle was blown, few could argue that the lead was undeserved.

Douglas Santos slots a cool finish past Jarstein to give HSV the lead.

...but no reward in the end

After the break, HSV tried to take the tempo out of the game and allowed Hertha to attack. Not the best of ideas, as just ten minutes later Valentino Lazaro had levelled for the visitors after attacking a fine cross from Marvin Plattenhardt. The equaliser proved a turning point in the match, as just seven minutes later the ball was in the back of the net again, this time substitute Kalou slotting a first-time finish past a helpless Pollersbeck. Titz reacted by bringing on Bobby Wood to bolster the attacking line, but the team lacked the fluidity and link-up play that had been so good in the first half. The team pushed and pushed, giving their all in search of an equaliser, but were met by a resolute Hertha defence. A disappointing start to life under Christian Titz.

Match facts

Hamburger SV: Pollersbeck - Sakai, Jung, van Drongelen, Santos - Steinmann - Ito (71. Jatta), Holtby (65. Wood), Hunt, Kostic - Arp (78. Waldschmidt)

Hertha BSC: Jarstein - Mittelstädt (60. Kalou), Stark, Rekik, Plattenhardt - Maier (88. Skjelbred), Lustenberger - Weiser, Darida, Lazaro - Ibisevic (71. Selke)

Goals: 1-0 Douglas (25.), 1-1 Lazaro (56.), 1-2 Kalou (63.)

Spectators: 52,195

Referee: Dr. Robert Kampka (Mainz)

Yellow cards: van Drongelen (41.) / Lazaro (33.), Kraft (48.), Plattenhardt (68.)