0-2 – HSV beaten by BVB in Bundesliga opener

Head coach Merlin Polzin made two changes to the side that started the 3-0 DFB-Pokal victory at SC Verl. Heuer Fernandes replaced Tangvik in goal, while Torunarigha came into the heart of the defence in place of Nandja.

Set up in a 5-4-1 without the ball, HSV immediately found themselves under pressure as the Bundesliga runners-up took control of proceedings with sharp passing and fluid combinations. Germany international Felix Nmecha had Dortmund's first effort in the eighth minute, sending a shot from 18 metres narrowly over the crossbar.

Barely a minute later, the hosts broke through. Karetsas exchanged a quick one-two with Guirassy to cut open the HSV defence, allowing the Dortmund striker to fire into the far corner and make it 1-0 (9').

Dortmund continued to push forward, but Heuer Fernandes stood firm, comfortably keeping out efforts from Karetsas (10') and Nmecha (13').

The hosts remained firmly in control after their blistering opening quarter of an hour, dictating the game both with and without the ball. HSV gradually managed to close down the spaces, but struggled to make their possession count. Dortmund, on the other hand, continued to pose a threat, with Greek duo Karetsas and Konstantelias particularly influential.

Karetsas missed a good chance to double the hosts' lead in the 33rd minute, leaning back as he sent his effort over the bar after being picked out by his compatriot. Eight minutes later, the 19-year-old came even closer, only for Heuer Fernandes to produce an excellent save with his foot to keep out a powerful deflected effort (41').

The HSV goalkeeper was finally beaten shortly before half-time. Konstantelias' shot took a deflection and wrong-footed Heuer Fernandes, leaving him with no chance as Dortmund made it 2-0 in the second minute of added time.

HSV had been second best throughout the first half and went into the break with a mountain to climb.

There were no changes at half-time, but HSV returned to the pitch with renewed confidence and immediately created their best chance of the match. Grönbaek cut inside and curled a dangerous effort towards the far corner, forcing Kobel into his first save of the game (48').

Dortmund responded almost immediately. Heuer Fernandes kept out Karetsas' effort at his near post (50'), before Konstantelias failed to convert the rebound. The goalscorer was forced off shortly afterwards with a knee injury.

HSV were now looking increasingly dangerous. Capaldo won the ball high up the pitch before releasing Daka, who narrowly failed to connect at the penalty spot (60'). Seven minutes later, the Zambian striker went even closer. After being picked out by Lemke, Daka met the ball from a similar position, only to see his effort clip the outside of the right-hand post (67').

That proved to be Daka's final involvement, with both him and Adeline making way for Moffi and Stange.

The fresh attacking options helped HSV maintain the pressure as they searched for a way back into the game. The momentum shifted further in Hamburg's favour when Dortmund made a triple substitution – and then saw one of their new arrivals sent off.

Just two and a half minutes after coming on, Inacio was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Grönbaek with a straight leg (77'). HSV therefore had the final 15 minutes to play against ten men.

Fortunately, Grönbaek avoided serious injury and was soon back involved, forcing another excellent save from Kobel with a low effort towards the near post. Sambi Lokonga then missed another promising opportunity to reduce the deficit.

Polzin went for broke in the closing stages, replacing Torunarigha and Jatta with the more attack-minded Nadir and Poulsen. Dortmund were increasingly forced to defend, but the hosts still had opportunities on the counter.

Substitute Veerman came close to adding a third, sending his effort narrowly past the right-hand post (90'). Philippe then had the final chance of the night, testing Kobel from distance after Moffi got a touch on the ball (90+4').

There was to be no way back for HSV, though. The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 defeat – a Bundesliga opener of two very different halves for the Hamburg side.