Match report

HSV beaten 2-1 by TSG Hoffenheim

Asllani (19’) and Lemperle (45’) found the net for the visitors in matchday 31 of the Bundesliga’s Saturday evening game. Glatzel (34’) had equalised for HSV from the penalty spot.

Hamburger SV were beaten 2-1 by TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday, 25th April. The Rothosen started purposefully in front of 57,000 spectators at a sold-out Volksparkstadion, but surprisingly fell behind to a goal from Asllani (19’). Glatzel deservedly levelled from the penalty spot 15 minutes later (34’) before Lemperle restored the visitors’ lead just before the break (45’). After half time, both sides came out full of attacking intent and had opportunities, but, as the game went on, the match developed into a midfield war of attrition. Jatta had the best chance to equalise, but his header went over and HSV suffered a 2-1 defeat.

An open start …

Head coach Merlin Polzin was forced into making one change to his starting eleven, as Jatta came in for the injured Muheim. Jatta had the first shot of the game after less than two minutes, but his effort from the edge of the box went over. Soon after, Königsdörffer and Vieira were involved in two more Rothosen attacks. The former’s dangerous cross could not find a teammate in the middle, while the latter’s powerful strike was blocked by Kabak. The Volksparkstadion, which was full of fans wearing the red and white city colours of Hamburg, was energised by this fast start from the hosts. At the other end, Hoffenheim mainly attacked down the right-hand side and created their first half-chances for Lemperle and Asllani. Then, in the 19th minute, the visitors were clinical in finishing off an attack down that same flank. Coufal spectacularly kept the ball in play after plucking it out of the air and played an inch-perfect cross into the middle, where Asllani cleanly volleyed home the opener.

HSV were undeterred by suddenly falling behind. Grönbaek had the next chance after playing a one-two with Vieira, but his bouncing shot was saved by Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann (23’). Both sides began to cancel each other out in midfield, but then Glatzel showed great anticipation to get to a Kabak back pass before Baumann. He rounded the ‘keeper in a one-on-one before being brought down by the Germany international. Referee Robert Schröder pointed to the spot and showed Baumann a yellow card. Glatzel himself stepped up and slotted the penalty down the middle to make it 1-1. Hoffenheim almost retook the lead immediately afterwards, but Heuer Fernandes made a superb stop from Kabak’s header (36’). The Rothosen then looked to counter through Fabio Vieira, who was just unable to control a ball into the box. The match had now become an open, at times breathless affair in which both sides threw caution to the wind in midfield. Just before the break, Hoffenheim struck again. Lemperle slid in to turn home Hajdari’s headed pass towards the far post and make it 2-1 to the visitors at the break (45’).

… and a hard-fought battle until the end

The Rothosen came out for the second half unchanged and looked to pile on the pressure. Königsdörffer fired narrowly wide on the turn after a pass from Vieira (48’). Hoffenheim also threatened soon after. Hajdari played a through ball to Asllani, who was denied in a one-on-one situation by Heuer Fernandes (52’). Not long after, the HSV ‘keeper was called into action again when he turned Toure’s powerful header wide (54’). It was an end-to-end clash, as it had been at the end of the first period. Vieira, Capaldo and Königsdörffer came forward on the counterattack immediately after Toure’s chance, and Königsdörffer was able to let fly from a promising position. His shot was blocked at the crucial moment (56’). The visitors continued to create half-chances themselves, which the HSV backline, marshalled by Torunarigha, defended well.

The game was beginning to settle down before HSV had a huge chance to make it 2-2. Fabio Vieira played a brilliant cross towards the far post following a short corner. An unmarked Jatta headed over from close range (75’). This was to be Jatta’s final action of the game as he was replaced, along with Mikelbrencis, when Sambi Lokonga and Gocholeishvili were sent on. Chances at either end were at a premium in the second half, however, as both sides felt the effects of their relentless attacking efforts in the first period. Instead, the match became a hard-fought war of attrition with many fouls and challenges. Polzin went all in as the match drew to a close, sending on two more forwards in Downs and Philippe but, unfortunately, his side were unable to find another leveller. HSV remain in 14th place for now, while Hoffenheim have climbed to fourth.

Match statistics

Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes – Capaldo, Torunarigha, Omari (88’ Downs)– Jatta (75’ Gocholeishvili), Remberg, Grönbaek (88’ Philippe), Mikelbrencis (75’ Sambi Lokonga) – Fabio Vieira – Glatzel (64’ Stange), Königsdörffer

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Baumann – Hranac (46’ Bernardo), Kabak, Hajdari – Avdullahu – Coufal, Kramaric, Burger – Asllani (64’ Prömel), Lemperle (85’ Moerstedt), Toure (85’ Campbell)

Goals: 0-1 Asllani (19’), 1-1 Glatzel (34’, pen.), 1-2 Lemperle (45’)

Attendance: 57,000 (sold-out)

Referee: Robert Schröder (Hanover)

Yellow cards: Remberg, Sambi Lokonga / Hranac, Baumann, Prömel, Burger