Match report

HSV edged out 1-0 away to FC Augsburg

HSV were slow to settle against a strong-starting FCA, then grew into the game – only to concede at the very moment they were on top. A bitter afternoon for the Rothosen in Augsburg.

Hamburger SV were beaten 1-0 away to FC Augsburg on Saturday afternoon (22nd November). In a sold-out WWK ARENA, the hosts controlled the early exchanges in front of 30,000 fans before HSV found their feet midway through the first half and especially after the restart. But just as the Rothosen looked most assured, Augsburg struck through Kade (76’) to decide the meeting between the two neighbours in the table.

Caption: Referee Braun signals offside to rule out Augsburg’s early goal — Referee Braun signals offside – Augsburg’s early strike does not stand.

Difficult start...

HSV head coach Merlin Polzin brought Vieira back into the line-up, while late Dortmund goalscorer Königsdörffer also returned to the starting XI following Poulsen’s injury during the international break. That meant a slightly reshuffled attack for the Rothosen, although it made little difference in the opening stages: FCA seized control from the first whistle and HSV were forced to defend.

They had Heuer Fernandes to thank for keeping the game level early on, with the keeper producing three crucial saves to deny Kade, Kömür and Giannoulis. Augsburg even thought they had taken the lead when Rieder found the net in the eighth minute, but referee Braun ruled it out for a marginal offside. It was only towards the middle of the first half that HSV managed to stabilise against a strong FCA and create their first meaningful attacking moments. That improvement almost paid off right on the stroke of half time, but Königsdörffer was unable to turn in the best HSV chance of the opening period from close range.

Daniel Heuer Fernandes gathers a cross in front of his defenders — Daniel Heuer Fernandes kept out everything he could, but still left Augsburg with a 1-0 defeat.

...and a harsh ending

After the break, HSV not only registered the first big chance of the second half – Gocholeishvili denied by FCA goalkeeper and captain Dahmen – but also looked increasingly composed. Possession swung from 45:55 to 55:45 in HSV’s favour, they recorded the majority of attempts on goal and appeared settled, even if the final punch in attack was lacking.

They still carried moments of threat, most of them involving Königsdörffer – including in the 75th minute, when Dahmen tipped his angled effort around the post. The flag went up belatedly for a tight offside in that move, meaning Augsburg restarted with a free-kick rather than HSV with a corner. From that situation, the hosts broke down HSV’s right and Kade bundled in the decisive goal from close range (76’). Despite four attacking substitutions and a numerical advantage after Schlotterbeck was sent off for a second booking, HSV could not turn the game around. Up against a deep-defending FCA side, they were unable to muster another shot on goal after falling behind and were forced to make the long journey home empty-handed.

Match facts:

FC Augsburg: Dahmen – Banks, Matsima, Schlotterbeck – Kade, Massengo (73’ Rexhbecaj), Fellhauer, Giannoulis – Rieder (83’ Zesiger), Claude-Maurice (64’ Saad) – Kömür (64’ Essende)

Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes – Capaldo (86’ Ramos), Vušković, Torunarigha (82’ Glatzel) – Gocholeishvili (82’ Rössing-Lelesiit), Sambi Lokonga (86’ Pherai), Remberg, Muheim – Vieira (72’ Philippe), Königsdörffer, Dompé

Goals: 1-0 Kade (76’)

Attendance: 30,000 (sold out)

Referee: Robin Braun (Wuppertal)

Yellow cards: Schlotterbeck / Capaldo, Remberg, Vušković

Red cards: Schlotterbeck / –