Match report
25.10.25
HSV fall to unfortunate 1-0 defeat in northern derby
Hamburger SV had to contend with a narrow loss at home to VfL Wolfsburg on a day where their luck just was not in. Despite a strong showing and creating the best goalscoring opportunities, the Rothosen could not find a way through and ultimately found themselves without any points to show for their efforts.
On Saturday (25th October), Hamburger SV suffered a narrow and very unfortunate 1-0 defeat at home to VfL Wolfsburg. The Rothosen were by far the more dominant side over the course of proceedings at the sold-out Volksparkstadion, carving out a number of good chances but ending the day empty-handed despite their tally of 25 attempts, compared to Wolfsburg’s five. Luck was not on HSV’s side as Königsdörffer saw his penalty saved before both Sambi Lokonga and Muheim struck only the woodwork. Thanks to a goal from Daghim (15’), it was Wolfsburg who emerged with the points.
The better of the chances, not taken ...
HSV head coach sent out the same starting line-up that had impressed despite the narrow defeat away to RB Leipzig last weekend. Once again, the Rothosen began strongly, showcasing their defensive solidity and eye-catching attacking moves this time against Wolfsburg. HSV started well but it was the visitors who went ahead somewhat out of the blue with a quarter of an hour played. Adam Daghim fired off VfL’s first real shot in anger of the contest from a half-right position, lashing down the middle of the goal for 1-0.
HSV did not appear taken back in their reaction, rather continuing to play courageously going forward, which lead to one or two nervy moments for the Wolfsburg rear guard inside their own area. The closing minutes of the first period were when HSV really turned up the pressure and looked especially dangerous, albeit without breakthrough. Firstly, Albert Sambi Lokonga was brought down in the area, but Ransford Königsdörffer struck the consequent spot kick straight at away keeper Kamil Grabara (45’). Sambi Lokonga then had a chance himself as he latched onto the rebound after a shot from Rayan Philippe; however, he prodded onto the bar. With the Rothosen unable to take their best chances of the half, they were forced to head into the break trailing 1-0.
... means nothing to show for the team’s efforts
The Rothosen carried on in positive fashion after the restart. With fewer than two minutes of the second period played, Miro Muheim sent a half-shot, half-cross of a free-kick onto the post before also recording the next big chance on 52 minutes. HSV did not let up, spurned on by the passion exuding from the stands inside the Volksparkstadion. Nevertheless, the hosts were somewhat fortunate not to go 2-0 down when Zehnter came close following a Wolfsburg counter attack.
More and more, Hamburg were finding themselves in attacking positions and, with the added fire power after Fabio Vieira and Yussuf Poulsen entered the fray, the home team looked to be ever nearing an equaliser throughout the closing stages. It was one-way traffic during this phase of the game – a goal back was the only thing missing for HSV. Neither Poulsen with a header nor Vieira with a strike from distance could direct the ball past Grabara. Even HSV goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes ventured upfield to join the attacking cohort during stoppage time, but to no avail. When all was said and done, the Rothosen came away empty-handed despite a good performance, as had been the case a week earlier in Leipzig.
MATCH STATISTICS
Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes - Capaldo (88’ Ramos), Vuskovic, Elfadli (88’ Pherai) - Mikelbrencis (77’ Balde), Lokonga (64’ Vieira), Remberg, Muheim - Philippe, Königsdörffer (64’ Poulsen), Dompe
VfL Wolfsburg: Grabara - Kumbedi, Seelt, Koulierakis, Zehnter - Vinicius Souza (56’ Dardai), Arnold, Daghim, Eriksen (67’ Svanberg), Amoura (56’ Wimmer) - Wind (67’ Skov Olsen)
Goals: 1-0 Daghim (15’)
Attendance: 57,000 (sold-out)
Referee: Martin Petersen
Yellow cards: Vuskovic / de Souza, Amoura, Wind, Svanberg, Wimmer