Hamburger SV deserved and clearly defeated Hertha BSC in the second division duel, but were also lucky with a penalty decision.
Bakery Jatta (38th), Laszlo Benes (45th + 4th hand penalty) and Robert Glatzel (82nd) scored the goals in Hamburg’s 3-0 (2-0) victory on Saturday evening (08/19/2023). HSV took advantage of Berlin’s weaknesses in defence, while the guests only had their first clear scoring chances late in the game.
The undefeated Hamburgers climbed to the top of the table, at least temporarily, with seven points from three games. The pointless and goalless Berliners, on the other hand, fell back to 18th place.
Dardai hopes for additions
Hertha trainer Pal Dardai said at the sports show that he saw a class difference. “We’re a team that needs to reinvent itself, with a lot of young players and a couple of experienced players. There were three players in midfield who hadn’t played there before.” Dardai sees a quality problem there, complained about quick ball losses. He is hoping for reinforcements by the end of the September 1 transfer window.
Hamburg’s Benes said in the Sportschau interview that he was very proud of the team, “that we put pressure on from the start and didn’t let anything in. It’s very good that we kept a clean sheet and I think that was a very good step forward.”
Controversial decision
Video evidence played an important role in the Volksparkstadion, which was sold out for the tenth time in a row. It initially meant that Glatzel’s supposed HSV opening goal was disallowed in the 18th minute because of a razor-thin offside position. Shortly thereafter, he reversed a penalty decision in favor of Hamburg because Benes had previously played the ball with his hand.
In injury time in the first half, however, HSV was lucky that video assistant Christian Dingert did not intervene. Referee Frank Willenborg had decided on a hand penalty, although Marton Dardai’s arm, which was hit from a short distance, was close to his body.
Benes safely converted the controversial penalty and thus ensured a preliminary decision. Despite a stronger Berlin phase in the second half, the Hamburg victory was no longer in danger.
HSV in Hanover, Hertha against Fürth
On the 4th matchday, HSV will be visiting Hanover in the evening (Saturday, August 26th, 2023, 8:30 p.m.). Hertha BSC will play against SpVgg Greuther Fürth beforehand (Saturday, 1 p.m.).