HSV fall to 3-2 defeat despite leading away in Dortmund

HSV hit the front...

Head coach Merlin Polzin made a singular change from his team that began last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with 1. FC Köln, bringing in Otele for Damion Downs in attack. The Rothosen had a job on their hands right off the bat away to the side sitting second in the table, with Daniel Heuer Fernandes particularly under the microscope. The HSV stopper’s opening task was to deny Maximilian Beier’s low shot from close range following a deflection off Nicolai Remberg, which had seen the ball kindly roll the way of the forward (7’). The visiting keeper then had to be alert to also parry an attempt from the resulting corner. Dortmund gained a tighter grip on possession after that, however only for Hamburg to go down the other end and snatch a surprise lead on the counter (19’). William Mikelbrencis decisively got the better of Daniel Svensson before squaring for Otele, who turned home without fuss for 1-0.

Action did not dissipate after the goal, either. HSV broke forward quickly through Fabio Vieira and Otele following a Dortmund loss of possession on the halfway line, with the eventual shot from Ransford Königsdörffer fired straight at Gregor Kobel (24’). A minute later, and the ball was in the hosts’ net once more, with Luca Reggiani had turned into his own goal; however, Königsdörffer had been offside in the build-up. With a further three minutes played, referee Matthias Jöllenbeck pointed to the spot for the first time during proceedings, although on this occasion the decision to award a penalty to BVB after Adeyemi went to ground in the six-yard box would be overturned for offside.
The Rothosen did not wait long before doubling their advantage. Kobel had initially denied a Vieira try from range but could do nothing to prevent Sambi Lokonga after his fellow midfielder played him in on the rebound. The number six found himself in acres of space inside the box and kept his cool to lift over the keeper (38’). Down the other end, Dortmund did then actually receive their first penalty of the day after Warmed Omari caught Beier when attempting to clear. Felix Nmecha stepped up but sent his effort wide left of the goal, meaning that HSV went into the break 2-0 up at the end of an eventful opening period.