The promotion race for the 2nd Bundesliga is currently a Hamburg affair. HSV took second place with a hard-fought 2-0 (1-0) win against 1. FC Magdeburg.
In a long, even game, the goals from Lazlo Bénes (9th) and Bakery Jatta (72nd) made the difference on Saturday evening (November 4th, 2023). Magdeburg’s Dainels Elfadli was shown a red card in the 78th minute for serious foul play.
Hamburg extended their streak of unbeaten home games to 16. They climbed past Fortuna Düsseldorf to second place and are two points behind city rivals FC St. Pauli. HSV coach Tim Walter said in the Sportschau interview that his team made things difficult for themselves in the early stages. The goal was then played outstandingly. “It shows that the boys can play football really well.”
Magdeburg with chances but no goals
Magdeburg remains in the lower midfield with 13 points. “We have failed because of ourselves,” said FCM coach Christian Titz. “We played a good game until we were sent off. We controlled the game, passed the opponent well and almost only forced them to play long balls.“However, Titz struggled with exploiting his chances.
FCM attacker Luca Schuler was self-critical. “We already had one or two opportunities. I alone had two 100 percent players, they just have to go in, then the game goes completely differently.”
Bénes completes a beautiful combination
Hamburg’s early lead was lost after a nice combination over several stages. At the end, Immanuel Pherai passed through to Jatta, who passed into the middle from the right in the 16′. Robert Glatzel’s shot was blocked by Cristiano Piccini in front of the line and Bénes made the save.
Otherwise, the guests from Magdeburg kept up well and were unpleasant, equal opponents. They also created chances, but shot imprecisely or were denied by Hamburg’s well-played goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes.
Dompé serves Jatta
For a long time, HSV seemed to be busy with defensive work and only rarely had a promising finish. But then substitute Jean-Luc Dompé created space on the left with a double jumper for a cross to the second post, where Jatta headed into the left corner to make it 2-0.
Magdeburg’s Elfadli was sent off for a rude tackle deep in the opponent’s half. He wanted to block a freeing shot from Stephan Ambrosius, but instead of hitting the ball, he hit the Hamburger’s leg with his open sole.
HSV in Kiel, Magdeburg against Rostock
The Hamburg team will be challenged next matchday in Kiel (Saturday, November 11th, 2023, 1:00 p.m.). One day later, Magdeburg will face the Hansa Rostock team at home (1:30 p.m.).