Match report

Points shared in 1-1 draw with 1. FC Köln

The matchday 26 clash between HSV and 1. FC Köln ended in a 1-1 draw. Fabio Viera netted a spectacular opener for the Rothosen, before Said El Mala struck the equaliser.

In the Bundesliga’s Saturday evening game on 14th March, Hamburger SV played out a 1-1 draw with 1. FC Köln. At a sold-out Volksparkstadion, the Rothosen took the lead in sensational style through a stroke of brilliance from Fabio Vieira (39’), but Said El Mala levelled for the visitors just before the break (45’).

Two goals in a hard-fought first half …

Head coach Merlin Polzin made three changes from the 2-1 victory at VfL Wolfsburg. Warmed Omari, Fabio Vieira and Damion Downs came in for Daniel Elfadli, Philip Otele and Jean-Luc Dompe. The match started fairly slowly at an energetic Volksparkstadion and was mainly a midfield battle with few chances for either side. During the opening half hour, the game was a tactical encounter with a high number of duels – more than 60 in total.

In the closing stages of a previously quiet first half, the Rothosen attacked quickly after a long ball from William Mikelbrencis. The Frenchman found the run of Fabio Vieira, who brilliantly lobbed goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe with a shot off the outside of his boot and into the far corner. This world-class strike handed the hosts a 1-0 lead (39’). While Köln were lacking penetration in the final third, they did land a significant blow from a set piece shortly before half time. Jakub Kaminski’s corner was flicked into the path of Said El Mala, who headed home the equaliser for the visitors (45’).

… and the spoils are shared

Immediately after the break, it was a similar game to in the first half. Köln had more of the ball, while HSV, who set up in a 5-3-2 formation when out of possession, looked to create opportunities on the counterattack. Substitute Linton Maina’s shot from inside the area did not trouble Daniel Heuer Fernandes (54’), before further attacks led by Kaminski (58’) and Ache (65’) were thwarted by the Rothosen backline.With fresh legs now arriving on the pitch, HSV improved and began to threaten the visitors’ goal once again, though they could not create any significant chances in the final third.

Just like in the first half, it was not until the latter stages that the real excitement came. Firstly, Otto Stange dribbled into the Köln box and won a corner. Jean-Luc Dompe delivered from the left and found Daniel Elfadli in the middle. Elfadli’s header went narrowly wide of the far post (90+5’). At the other end, the Billy Goats had one final chance through a free kick just seconds before full time. Florian Kainz’s cross found Eric Martel, who, like Elfadli, nodded just wide of goal. The final whistle then rang out around the Volkspark. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, which was a fair result based on the two teams’ performances.

Match statistics:

Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes - Omari, L. Vuskovic, Torunarigha (79’ Elfadli) – Mikelbrencis (79’ Balde), Sambi Lokonga, Remberg, Muheim – Vieira (90+2’ Otele), Downs (66’ Stange), Königsdörffer (66’ Dompe)

1. FC Köln: Schwäbe – Krauß (84’ Chavez), van den Berg, Özkacar, Lund – Martel, Johannesson, Niang (46’ Maina), Kaminski (90+1’ Kainz), S. El Mala (74’ Bülter) – Ache (74’ Sebulonsen)

Goals: 1-0 Vieira (39’), 1-1 El Mala (45’)

Attendance: 57,000 (sold-out)

Referee: Tobias Welz (Wiesbaden)

Yellow cards: Remberg, Muheim / El Mala, Lund, Kaminski, Sebulonsen