Match report

HSV defeat Freiburg 3-2 in final home game of the season

The Rothosen saw off Europa League finalists SC Freiburg on Bundesliga matchday 33. Jatta (14’), Vuskovic (64’) and Balde (67’) netted for the home side. Matanovic (16’/87’) bagged a brace for the visitors.

Hamburger SV have won their last home fixture of the Bundesliga season against Europa League finalists SC Freiburg. 57,000 fans watched the 3-2 victory as Jatta (14’), Vuskovic (64’) and Balde (67’) scored for the hosts. Matanovic (16’/87’) netted twice for the away team.

Level at the break ...

Head coach Merlin Polzin made three changes to his line-up that began the 2-1 win away to Eintracht Frankfurt, with Luka Vuskovic returning from the off in place of Jordan Torunhariga and Otto Stange coming in for Robert Glatzel. Both teams started the contest full of energy; however, it took 14 minutes for the first real chance of note to arrive. Stange broke down the left wing before attempting to cross into the area. The ball deflected off Bruno Ogbus, though, falling at the feet of Albert Grönbaek. The Norwegian played across the face of goal and Bakery Jatta applied the finishing touch at the far post for 1-0 and his maiden Bundesliga strike.

The visitors responded immediately. Lukas Kübler found himself void of pressure as he was allowed to cross from the right-hand side, picking out Igor Matanovic in the middle. He guided the ball home to equalise (16’). The match became even livelier after that, with the Rothosen coming close twice through Fabio Vieira. His long-range effort struck the base of the right-hand post (19’) before only Matthias Ginter’s block prevented the midfielder’s next attempt from heading on target (29’).

Around the half-hour mark, HSV were in control and looked to be the dominant team, having won 65 percent of their duels and recorded 57 percent possession. In the 38th minute, SCF came forward again. Ginter found Matanovic, whose shot went wide of goal. Shortly before half time, the Rothosen created a similar situation to the one that had led to the opening goal. Stange advanced down the left flank and crossed into the centre. Königsdörffer missed the ball, but Jatta was there to collect. However, he was unable to convert, and it remained level at the break.

... before a pair of goals seal victory at home

Neither side made changes at half-time and HSV began the second period in threatening fashion. Skipper Nicolas Capaldo set Stange off and running, who beat Ogbus as he entered the box and shot from a tight angle, only for Ginter to clear for a corner at the last second (47’). SC replied with an effort of their own: Kübler tried his luck from distance and HSV stopper Daniel Heuer Fernandes turned the ball over the bar (50’). Grönbaek got the better of his defender down the left flank on 52 minutes and looked to find Ransford Königsdörffer in the centre, but the ball evaded him at the far stick.

The Rothosen then supplied a quick-fire double just after the hour mark. A free-kick was awarded for a foul on Vieira, with Vuskovic stepping up to find the centre of the goal from 22 yards out and give the fans their next cause for celebration (64’). They would be off their seats again just three minutes later when the home side’s lead was extended. Remberg played in Balde, who drove past Ginter down the right and slotted into the near corner for 3-1 to Hamburg (67’).

With a two-goal lead to fall back on, the Rothosen continued to push forward boldly and remained the more ambitious side. With around 75 minutes gone, Hamburg had won 56 per cent of their challenges. Once again, it was Vieira who posed a threat in front of goal, but Atubolu managed to cling onto the ball following the save (81’). Shortly afterwards, Matanovic struck again, rising highest in the six-yard box to latch onto a Grifo corner and head into the far bottom corner to reduce the arrears (87’). Time was all but up, although history was made once again at the Volksparkstadion. Coming on as a substitute in stoppage time, home-grown talent Louis Pepe Lemke, aged 16 years and 214 days, became the youngest HSV player in history. At the same time, loan players Vuskovic and Vieira were brought off, receiving standing ovations. That brought HSV’s final home game of the season to a close.

Match statistics:

Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes - Capaldo, L. Vuskovic (90’+5 Nandja), Omari – Jatta (65’ Balde), Remberg, Lokonga (80’ Poulsen), Grönbaek, Fabio Vieira (90’+5 Lemke) – Stange (65’ Philippe), Königsdörffer

SC Freiburg: Atubolu – Kübler (68’ Scherhant), Ginter (71’ Jung), Ogbus (68’ Lienhart), Treu - M. Eggestein, Manzambi (58’ Höfler), Beste (58’ Makengo), Höler, Grifo – Matanovic

Goals: 1-0 Jatta (14’), 1-1 Matanovic (16’), 2-1 Vuskovic (64’) 3-1 Balde (67’), 3-2 Matanovic (87’)

Attendance: 57,000 (sold-out)

Referee: Felix Zwayer

Yellow cards: Vuskovic, Capaldo / Kübler, Höler