Match report

HSV earn deserved point with 0-0 draw in Berlin

No goals, but a shot off the woodwork, a penalty and a red card – it was certainly not a boring encounter between 1. FC Union Berlin and HSV. In the end, the Rothosen could have come away with more than a point.

Hamburger SV picked up a more than deserved point away at 1. FC Union Berlin on Sunday evening. The Rothosen were the dominant side for long periods in front of 22,000 spectators at a sold-out Stadion An der Alten Försterei, and also had the better of the chances, though they did have that little bit of luck on their side, as Union struck the post and Heuer Fernandes saved a penalty. It eventually ended in a goalless draw. HSV were very much in charge and, because of their impressive performance, cannot be entirely satisfied with the outcome, especially after Vieira was harshly shown the red card in injury time.

Rayan Philippe was involved in a succession of dangerous HSV attacks in the first half.

Good opportunities …

HSV looked sharp and energetic from the first whistle at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. The Rothosen were strong in the challenge, full of attacking intent and compact as a team. Despite their good start, they suffered an early blow. In the ninth minute, Philippe made an error in his own box and conceded a penalty for a foul. Heuer Fernandes, though, was on the ball and saved Ilic’s spot kick. This handed HSV even more momentum. The Rothosen became more dominant and, at one point, had recorded seven shots to Union’s one, 60 percent possession and a majority of duels won. However, Polzin’s side were missing that clinical edge and it remained goalless at half time despite HSV’s superiority on the ball and in the challenge, as well as three shots from Philippe alone.

Luka Vuskovic and his defensive colleagues were solid at the back.

… but no goals

The match briefly became more even after the break, before HSV managed to regain control of proceedings. The Rothosen were defensively solid, but perhaps slightly too cautious going forward – although they did create good opportunities, including through Königsdörffer. However, during the final 15 minutes, it was Union who had the best chance of all. Omari had suffered an unfortunate ankle injury, and the game was stopped for several minutes while he received treatment. HSV then failed to clear a corner, with the defence still slightly out of sorts after Omari was forced off with the injury. The ball cannoned off the post, and the Rothosen were very nearly denied the point they so richly deserved. It would have been bitterly disappointing to come away empty-handed after 18 shots to Union’s nine, 65 percent possession and a high ratio of duels won. HSV then had to play with ten men for the final few minutes after Vieira was shown the red card following an unfortunate collision with Union’s Querfeld. The Rothosen held on for the draw, and did manage to at least get a point on the board.

Match statistics:

1. FC Union Berlin: Rønnow – Trimmel, Doekhi, Querfeld, Leite, Köhn (80’ Rothe) – Haberer (59’ Schäfer), Khedira – Burke (59’ Skarke), Ilic, Ansah (89’ Jeong)

Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes – Gocholeishvili (90’+8 Mikelbrencis), Omari (76’ Ramos), Vuskovic, Elfadli, Muheim (82’ Capaldo) – Vieira, Remberg – Philippe (76’ Lokonga), Königsdörffer (76’ Glatzel), Dompe

Goals: -

Attendance: 22,000 (sold-out)

Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Oberasbach)

Yellow cards: Querfeld, Trimmel / Philippe, Muheim

Red cards: - / Vieira (90’+8)