Ransford Königsdörffer, HSV’s winning goal scorer against Elversberg, was representative of the state of the second division soccer team under new coach Steffen Baumgart in the hard-fought 1-0 win. The uncertainty is noticeable, but so is the will to turn the situation around and achieve promotion to the Bundesliga.
The goal of the day was certainly symbolic for the third-place team in the 2nd league because it summed up the team’s game within a few seconds: On the one hand, there was a big ball win. Then the quick switchover, which was almost ruined by a pass from Bakery Jatta that was too high, but was saved by Robert Glatzel with a strong chest grab and takeaway. The rest was a good pass from the center forward, a strong run by Königsdörffer and a hard finish into the corner.
This short sequence in the 53rd minute combined: the attempt to press higher, the partial inaccuracies in the passing game, the occasional creativity and offensive power, the recognizable will to fight one’s way out of one’s own uncertainty.
Königsdörffer in particular represented HSV’s performance in the first game under Baumgart that afternoon. Because before – and after – the 22-year-old had missed the best (and definitely easier) opportunities, got lost in dribbling and was indecisive or unfocused in the passing game. like many others.
Not everything worked, but the team persevered
However – and this gives hope from HSV’s point of view: although not everything was successful, he did not allow himself to be discouraged. And here too: Like many other “Rothosen”. “For me personally it was a very important goal,” said Königsdörffer. It was his first in more than ten months. “I could have scored more goals, then what felt like the hardest shot went in.”
Glatzel: “The golden goal will do him good”
Assist provider Glatzel said: “The finish was great. We are very happy for him, he hasn’t had an easy season so far. The golden goal to win will be good for him.” The striker, who, apart from his assist, was still looking for some guidance in terms of pressing and passing, rated the victory as “a good step to start with”.
“The boys have to get back to seeing what their strengths are.”
— HSV coach Steffen Baumgart
The new coach also saw it that way. “We can build on that,” said Baumgart, who also said: “It was a game of equals, in my opinion we were no better than Elversberg.” Also because his team was too inconsistent with the many high ball wins for a long time and did not act efficiently enough in the final situations.
“The boys have accepted a lot,” analyzed Baumgart, but he also believes that there is still a lot of work ahead of him and the team: “The boys have to get back to seeing what their strengths are.”
Schonlau comeback as a boost for the defense?
One should also be a more solid defense. In this respect, the performance against the Saarlanders was certainly encouraging. Although the SVE had a few chances to score and almost equalized shortly before the end, overall the Hamburg team defended more stably and compactly than last.
Sebastian Schonlau, who celebrated his starting eleven comeback after a long “stop-and-go injury”, is also said to be a factor in this. “We only had a week together and you could still see Steffen’s energy and intensity,” said the captain.
Königsdörffer goal after Baumgart’s half-time announcement
For him personally, “everything held up today, I felt good and I’m confident that it will stay that way.” A confidence that could also be transferred to the entire team after this afternoon. An afternoon in which not everything was successful, but the team earned the victory through their persistence, their intensity and their willingness to learn.
Goalscorer Königsdörffer had also shown this after his new coach had set him up at halftime. “I told him to go deep, run straight and shoot,” Baumgart said. Exactly how the 22-year-old celebrated Baumgart’s debut in the 53rd minute.
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Sports club | 02/25/2024 | 10:50 p.m
