Match Report

2-1! Crucial home win over Schalke

HSV won the final home game of 2016 on Tuesday night, beating Schalke 2-1 through goals from Nicolai Müller (61.) and Bobby Wood (83.) in front of almost 50,000 on Tuesday night (20.10). Donis Avdijaj replied for the visitors with a wonderful late volley (89.).

HSV won their second home game of the season at the Volksparkstadion on Tuesday night (20.10), beating Schalke 2-1 on Bundesliga matchday 16. After an even first half the home side broke the deadlock through Nicolai Müller’s 4th goal of the season (61.) Former Rothosen captain Johan Djourou missed a penalty on 76 minutes, but luckily for the large home crowd USA striker Bobby Wood scored a superb solo goal for what turned out to be the winning goal on 83 minutes. A superbly struck volley by Schalke’s Donis Avdijaj on 89 minutes turned out to be a consolation goal.

Matthias Ostrzolek was strong in the tackle and bossed central defence in a superb performance by the utility man.

Tough battle...

Home coach Markus Gisdol made several alterations to the team which had lost 1-3 in Mainz just three days previously. Djourou returned from suspension to replace Spahic in central defence while Sakai was preferred to Diekmeier at right back which saw Ekdal operate in front of the back four. Changes were rung up front too, with Gregoritsch leading the line at the expense of Wood who was on the bench at first. Finally Waldschmidt made his first start in a HSV shirt. The youngster slotted into a spot in attacking midfield. So lots of changes made by Gisdol, whose side created their first half chance of the game after 11 minutes but for the most time struggled to breach the well organised Gelsenkirchen defence. The Rothosen had to be constantly wary of the visitors who were known to mount counter attacks sometimes at the drop of a hat. The game developed into a proper battle with few football highlights for the crowd to enjoy. A lot of end ball was used but with no end product. Both defences remained tight and there were no goals at the break.

Nicolai Müller worked tirelessly and not only scored the opening goal but also set up his side’s crucial second scored by Wood.

... and a deserved win

After the break the home side began to get more of a grip on the game and on 61 minutes finally got some reward for their bravery at getting forward more. Wood had just entered the fray and immediately took up the position of sole striker from where he tore a gap in Schalke’s defence for Müller who slotted the ball home by way of a Kostic pass to open the scoring. Everyone expected the visitors to throw everything at HSV in their search for an equaliser. But the home side didn’t let them. A goal to the good, the Rothosen continued to press Schalke looking for a second goal which should have come on 76 minutes as Hamburg won a penalty after Kostic had been brought down inside the Schalke box. Up stepped Djourou to take a penalty which was more like a back pass to visiting keeper Fährmann who hardly had to move to keep the sloppy spot kick out. Six minutes later though HSV’s tenacity and determination paid off as Müller found Wood racing down the right wing from where he cut inside, left two defenders behind him and released a wonderful curling shot into the top corner of the net. 2-1 to HSV! Schalke’s Avdijaj pulled a goal back with an excellent volley but it was too little too late and the home team celebrated the end of the year for long after the final whistle was blown.

Match details:

HSV: Mathenia- Sakai, Djourou, Jung, Santos - Ekdal, Ostrzolek - Müller, Waldschmidt (59. Wood), Kostic (90.Spahic) - Gregoritsch (88.Lasogga)

FC Schalke 04: Fährmann - Kehrer, Höwedes, Kolasinac - Geis (69. Avdijaj) - Schöpf (77. Caicara), Goretzka, Bentaleb, Baba - M. Meyer, Konoplyanka (89.Reese)

Goals: 1:0 Müller (61.), 2:0 Wood (83.), 2:1 Avdijaj (90.)

Att: 49.789

Referee: Dr. Jochen Drees (Münster-Sarmsheim)

Booked: Jung (41.), Mathenia (90.) / M. Meyer (26.), Schöpf (42.), Kehrer (75.), Bentaleb (78.)