Friendly

HSV lose final pre-season friendly 2-0 to RCD Mallorca

Hamburger SV were beaten in their last pre-season friendly by the Spanish top-flight side.

It was matchday in Mallorca as Hamburger SV wrapped up their training camp on Saturday (9th August) with a friendly against LaLiga outfit RCD Mallorca. In front of 11,150 fans at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, the Rothosen fell to a 2-0 defeat against last season’s tenth-placed side. Former Bundesliga player Takuma Asano opened the scoring for the hosts in the 13th minute, before an unfortunate own goal from Miro Muheim (59’) sealed the result in the second half.

The game served as the final rehearsal before the start of the 2025/26 season for both teams. HSV begin their campaign next Saturday (kick-off 13:00 CEST) in the first round of the DFB-Pokal away to FK Pirmasens, while Mallorca host FC Barcelona on the same day in their league opener. For this last big test, head coach Merlin Polzin sent his side out in a 5-2-3 formation, handing right-back Giorgi Gocholeishvili his debut and starting Daniel Peretz in goal. Polzin had made clear beforehand that this was not yet a final decision on the number one spot, with Daniel Heuer Fernandes set to start in the cup match. After an even opening spell in 28-degree heat, during which both sides largely cancelled each other out in midfield, the hosts struck with a direct move through the middle, Asano putting them 1-0 ahead with a composed finish. Soon after, the technically sharp Mallorca side threatened again, only for Elfadli to make a last-ditch block.

HSV, who worked hard without the ball and regularly got stuck in, struggled to create a real cutting edge in the final third. Left winger Rössing-Lelesiit was one of the more active players, winning several corners, but the Rothosen couldn’t make them count. At the other end, Mallorca missed a good chance from a corner of their own when captain Raillo headed over from close range at the back post (38’). Almost immediately, HSV created their best opening of the first half: Königsdörffer was denied at the near post by the foot of goalkeeper Roman, who also reacted well to keep out Capaldo’s follow-up effort. The sides went in at the break with the score 1-0.

Polzin made one change at half-time, bringing on Philippe for Sahiti on the right wing. HSV looked to get in behind more often but were caught offside twice in quick succession. Philippe had the first attempt of the second half in the 58th minute, in a game that was slow to get going after the restart. A minute later, the Rothosen conceded an unfortunate second: Muheim’s attempted header back to Peretz beat his own keeper, who had also come out for the ball, and the home team went 2-0 up. Polzin responded with a triple change on the hour mark, introducing Stange, Meffert and Mikelbrencis. Muheim looked to make amends at the other end, first trying his luck from distance before winning a corner with a driving run down the left. He took the set piece himself but found no taker in the middle.

Shortly afterwards, Philippe delivered a dangerous cross from the right to Königsdörffer, whose volley and follow-up attempt were both kept out by Roman. In the final quarter of an hour, Polzin made two more changes, handing new signing Warmed Omari his first appearance for the club. The centre-back was on the pitch to see another promising Hamburg move: Muheim crossed from the left to the far post, where Mikelbrencis headed back into the middle for Philippe, whose shot was blocked for a corner. Mallorca, who had been quiet going forward in the second half, then had an effort from substitute Domenech fly over the bar. Muheim’s powerful free-kick at the other end was beaten away by Roman (89’). Moments later, Torunarigha went in hard on an opponent and was shown a straight red card – the final action of what was another valuable learning experience for HSV against strong opposition.

Match statistics:

RCD Mallorca: Roman – Morey, Valjent, Raillo (C), Mojica – Samuel Costa (13’ Sánchez), Morlanes (68’ Rodriguez) – Darder, Torre (68’ Mascarell), Asano (61’ Abdon) – Muriqi (61’ Domenech)

Hamburger SV: Peretz – Gocholeishvili (61’ Mikelbrencis), Ramos (76’ Omari), Elfadli, Torunarigha, Muheim (C) – Remberg (61’ Meffert), Capaldo – Sahiti (46’ Philippe), Königsdörffer (76’ Glatzel), Rössing-Lelesiit (61’ Stange)

Goals: 1-0 Asano (13’), 2-0 Muheim (59’/OG)

Attendance: 11,150

Referee: Mateo Busquets Ferrer (Palma de Mallorca)

Yellow cards: Morey / Meffert

Red card: Torunarigha (90')