Despite a promising start, the first leg mortgage was too big for Hamburg: HSV is slowly becoming a second division dinosaur – VfB Stuttgart celebrates staying in the Bundesliga with its 3-1 away win in the second leg of the relegation on Monday evening (June 5th, 2023).
After a total of 180 minutes, this outcome was fully deserved, especially the Hamburg defense had nothing to do with suitability for the first division.
“We are relieved and overjoyed”said VfB sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth on Sky. “It wasn’t a game for the faint-hearted. We conceded straight away and played a relatively weak first half. But then we came out of the break well and steered the game in our direction with the 1-1.” Sebastian Hoeneß, the fourth coach of the season, “we got it at the right time”said Wohlgemuth, “He played a big part in keeping the class.”
Walter relied on comeback quality
The hope in Hamburg was still high. HSV coach Tim Walter had despite the 0: 3 last Thursday – what else should he do – the “Comeback qualities” summoned by his team: “The lads have suffered a few setbacks and we’ve always stood up. I’m 1,887 percent convinced of my team.”
Mathematically, that seemed a bit questionable, but on the pitch his charges immediately tried to follow the coach’s words with deeds. VfB keeper Florian Müller had to do everything in the 4th minute to steer Jean-Luc Dompé’s fluttering free-kick over the crossbar.
Kittel hits for early leadership
Shortly thereafter, however, Müller was powerless. After Dompé had played dizzy on the left wing by Konstantinos Mavropanos, Sonny Kittel picked up the cross pass in the centre, went a few meters and nailed the ball with a full instep from 22 meters to the left inside post – the early 1-0 that electrified the Volkspark .
In return, a counterattack by Chris Führich quickly revealed Hamburg’s big defensive problem, which could have led to even more goals being conceded in the first leg. However, Führich shot just wide of the goal and earned himself a fairness award because he preferred to go for a shot rather than a penalty despite being under pressure.
Magic goal denied after video evidence
Hamburg also needed luck ten minutes later. After a class combination via Wataru Endo, Serhou Guirassy conjured the ball with his back to goal with a hoe into the far corner – Daniel Heuer Fernandes had no chance. With a little delay, video assistant Felix Zwayer reported from the Cologne basement – when the attack developed, Guirassy was just offside.
But it was clear to the people of Hamburg that they shouldn’t leave so much space despite all the races towards Stuttgart. The attacks were then also much more measured, and many mistakes crept in in midfield. Only shortly before the change of sides did the pressure really increase again, but Müller deflected Bakery Jatta’s shot around the post when HSV had the greatest chance.
Compensation right after the restart
The euphoria in the stadium was still palpable, but Hamburg’s actions no longer looked really orderly. Three minutes after the restart, the big mood killer came. With a through ball to Guirassy, Endo threw out the HSV defense, which couldn’t manage an offside trap because Javi Montero was too deep. Guirassy finally served Enzo Millot, who scored from a central position to make it 1-1.
The whole of Hamburg, the fans and the players, looked like they were in shock afterwards. For a few minutes, no useful attack was possible, Stuttgart freed itself more and more, and HSV finally beat itself. When trying to pass on a back pass, Heuer Fernandes went wide of the ball, Millot recognized the opportunity and pushed to 2: 1 into the empty goal (64th).
HSV fans stand behind their team
From a sporting point of view, practically everything was decided. However, after the 2-1 draw, HSV seemed liberated again and suddenly had chance after chance. But Robert Glatzel (74′), Kittel (75′), Ransford Königsdörffer (88′) and seconds later Bakery Jatta couldn’t get the ball past Müller.
Strong at least: Despite the huge disappointment, the HSV fans were behind their team until the end, celebrating their great effort, even if it just wasn’t enough in terms of sport – Silas also made it 3-1 in the seventh minute of injury time. The Hamburgers can now take the cohesion with the supporters into their sixth year in the second division – but that shouldn’t be too much of a consolation.