match report

HSV defeated 2-0 in Berlin

Hamburger SV fell to a 2-0 defeat away at promotion rivals Union Berlin after goals from Robert Zulj and Grischa Prömel, slipping to fourth place in the table.

HSV have to travel home from the capital city empty-handed after being defeated 2-0 by Union Berlin. The result sees Union overtake Hamburg in the table, as the Rothosen slip to fourth. HSV had a number of chances to open the scoring in the first half but were unable to convert. However, the opening goal of the game came from the hosts, as they scored almost immediately after kickoff through Robert Zulj (46’). Grischa Prömel doubled the lead in the 84th minute and secured victory for the home side.

The best chance of the first half fell to Aaron Hunt, but the captain was unable to convert and grab the opening goal.

Good chances not taken…

HSV head coach Hannes Wolf made a number of changes to the side which faced RB Leipzig in Tuesday’s DFB-Pokal semi-final. Bakery Jatta took the role of Pierre-Michel Lasogga as the main striker, whilst Aaron Hunt and Berkay Özcan both returned to the starting XI in midfield. It was the HSV captain who had the best chance of the half as he found himself free of the Union defence just over 20 minutes into the game, but couldn’t find the target with his effort. It was the first real chance for the Rothosen, who threatened throughout the half. Shortly after, Hunt and Jatta each had chances of their own, as the home side became somewhat unstuck after a strong start to the game. Union had their best chance to go ahead through Andersson in the first minute, but were unable to pose too much of an attacking threat on the Hamburg goal and as such, a tactical first half ended scoreless.

Robert Zulj puts Union Berlin ahead early in the second half.

… and the game lost in the second half

Union Berlin began the second half just as they began the first, but this time managed to put away their chance. Jung lost the ball on the edge of the area to Abdullahi, who squared the ball to Zulj who found the back of the net and put his side ahead in the first minute of the half. It couldn’t have been a worse start to the second half, as the hosts were now able to play to their strengths by defending compactly, playing with a robust style and attempting to counter attack. The second half was played in this way, as HSV committed men forward in search of an equaliser but left themselves more vulnerable to the counter attack, which gave the home side numerous chances to double their lead. In the 84th minute they did just that, as Prömel’s effort from outside the area found the back of Pollersbeck’s goal via the post. The goal secured victory for the Berliners, who leapfrogged HSV in the table. Due to SC Paderborn’s home victory against FC Heidenheim, the Rothosen will have to go into Macthday 32 in fourth place.

Match facts:

1. FC Union Berlin: Gikiewicz - Trimmel, Friedrich, Parensen, Reichel - Schmiedebach - Prömel, Ryerson (79‘ Kroos) - Abdullahi (73‘ Polter), Andersson (88‘ Lenz), Zulj

Hamburger SV: Pollersbeck - Jung (57‘ Lasogga), Lacroix, van Drongelen - Janjicic, Douglas - Narey, Hunt, Özcan (76’ Wintzheimer), Vagnoman (46‘ Hwang) - Jatta

Tore: 1-0 Zulj (46‘), 2-0 Prömel (84‘)

Zuschauer: 22,012 (sold out)

Schiedsrichter: Sascha Stegemann (Niederkassel)

Gelbe Karten: Kroos (81’), Trimmel (82’) / Douglas (81’), Lacroix (90+4’)

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