Match report

HSV beaten 4-0 by impressive Stuttgart

On matchday 29 of the Bundesliga, HSV suffered a heavy defeat to Champions League hopefuls and current DFB-Pokal holders VfB Stuttgart. Stiller, Führich, Mittelstädt and El Khannouss were on target for a free-flowing VfB side.

On Sunday (12th April), Hamburger SV were beaten 4-0 away at VfB Stuttgart in their Bundesliga matchday 29 clash. Stuttgart were the dominant team from the start in front of 60,000 spectators at a sold-out MHP Arena, and took the lead through Angelo Stiller (21’) before Chris Führich doubled their lead before half time (32’). VfB remained on top after the break and added two more goals through Maximilian Mittelstädt (56’) and Bilal El Khannouss (86’), while they were also denied by HSV goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes on multiple occasions. The Rothosen, who were without several key players, suffered an ultimately deserved defeat to a very strong opponent.

Confident Stuttgart strike twice in the first half…

Head coach Merlin Polzin made a full five changes to his starting line-up from the 1-1 draw with FC Augsburg. Elfadli, Grönbaek, Remberg, Balde and Philippe came in for Vuskovic (bruised knee), Sambi Lokonga (thigh problems), Muheim (suspended), Glatzel and Otele (both named on the bench). In the early stages, HSV were primarily forced to defend and, setting up in a 5-3-2 formation, they were initially able to clear multiple crosses and corners without allowing many opportunities of note. The Rothosen’s first chance came in the 15th minute with almost a carbon copy of their winning goal in the reverse fixture. However, they failed to take advantage of a three-on-two situation on the counterattack, as Balde fired well wide. Not long after, Hendriks successfully challenged Vieira after he got on the end of a through ball in a dangerous area.

It was also Hendriks whose low ball between the lines led to the hosts’ next opportunity. In the 22nd minute, VfB took a deserved lead after quick and precise passing play between Undav, Leweling and Stiller, who arrived on the penalty spot to slot home. HSV, who had started well defensively and looked a threat on the counterattack, stuck to their game plan despite falling behind. Vieira and Königsdörffer led another counter after Hendriks lost the ball, and the latter’s effort from a tight angle forced Nübel into a save (28’). However, the Rothosen then gave the ball away themselves and were ruthlessly punished by the hosts. In the 32nd minute, Demirovic set up Führich to make it 2-0. Hamburg-born Demirovic and pacy left-winger Führich then had two of Stuttgart’s next few efforts on goal, but their shots were blocked by Omari and Torunarigha. Undav (44’) was also denied, and it remained 2-0 at the half-time whistle.

…and stay on top in the second

Neither side made any personnel changes at the break. Demirovic had the first shot of the second period with a close-range effort following a corner, but Heuer Fernandes made the save (48’). The HSV ‘keeper was not tested by Führich’s direct free kick from a tight angle (50’), though, soon after, he did deny Mittelstädt with a strong stop at his near post (51’). VfB were now creating chance after chance. Both Undav (53’) and Führich (55’) were denied by Heuer Fernandes. Then, in the 56th minute, he was left with no chance when Mittelstädt’s strike from distance deflected in off Torunarigha. Stuttgart made it 3-0 just minutes after Philippe had almost reduced the deficit when he headed onto the roof of the net (54’).

Heuer Fernandes did keep out Mittelstädt’s next effort as he superbly tipped the VfB man’s free kick onto the crossbar. ‘Ferro’ continued to be at the centre of proceedings when he saved from Führich (62’) before Demirovic looked to have got to the better of him and made it 4-0. However, this goal was ruled out for offside by VAR (67’). The action then quietened down a little before a strange final 15 minutes. Firstly, Heuer Fernandes saved from a powerful Undav effort, while El Khannouss’ follow-up struck the post. Then, Undav and Capaldo were both booked after a challenge led to a scuffle. Long before this, though, Tomas had been fouled in the area, and referee Jablonski now awarded a penalty after a VAR review. Undav, who had just been shown his fifth yellow card of the season for his part in the preceding melee, stepped up and lifted the spot kick over the bar. Luck was not on the Rothosen’s side for Stuttgart’s next opportunity, when Omari involuntarily deflected El Khannouss’ shot from range into the net. VfB’ second deflected goal of the afternoon wrapped up the scoring at 4-0.

Match statistics:

VfB Stuttgart: Nübel – Assignon (88’ Vagnoman), Hendriks, Chabot, Mittelstädt – Stiller, Chema (70’ Nartey) – Leweling, Undav (88’ Arevalo), Führich (70’ El Khannouss) – Demirovic (69’ Tomas)

Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes – Omari, Torunarigha, Elfadli (72’ Capaldo) – Mikelbrencis, Grönbaek (60’ Stange), Remberg, Balde (72’ Gocholeishvili) – Fabio Vieira – Königsdörffer, Philippe (60’ Glatzel)

Goals: 1-0 Stiller (21’), 2-0 Führich (32’), 3-0 Mittelstädt (56’), 4-0 El Khannouss (86’)

Attendance: 60,000 (sold-out)

Referee: Sven Jablonski (Bremen)

Yellow cards: Chema, Undav / Capaldo