In a pomaded Frankfurt Eintracht, Hamburger SV secured a surprising 2-1 (0-0) victory, which almost ensures relegation in the Bundesliga. Things will probably be really tight for Eintracht coach Riera.
After a shockingly boring first half, Can Uzun seemingly put Eintracht Frankfurt on the right track with his goal to make it 1-0 after 48 minutes. But negligent defensive work by Eintracht enabled HSV to make it 1:2 with a double strike. Albert Grönbaek (51st) and Fabio Vieira (59th) scored. This means that the Hanseatic League is almost certain to stay in the league.
Frankfurt has to worry more than ever about entering international competition. Frankfurt’s Can Uzun was correspondingly disappointed at the sports show microphone: “We just have to give more.”
The mood of HSV coach Merlin Polzin is completely different: “I was extremely happy. It’s a very special day in HSV’s recent history.”
Frankfurt’s Burkardt is allowed to play from the start
The fans looked forward to Eintracht’s line-up with excitement, it was about Jonathan Burkardt. Was he allowed to start or did he have to languish on the bench again? Coach Albert Riera decided to put the ex-Mainzer player, whom he had accused of fitness deficits during the week and with whom he was supposed to be in a clinch, in the starting line-up.
There was also a sense of crisis at HSV before the match. After only two wins from the last ten games, the diamond carriers slipped back into the relegation battle. Good nerves were required. On both teams.
Unsettled unity is having a hard time
The HSVers had the first good chance. After a quick advance down the right (Frankfurt had immediately revealed their defensive problems again), Bakery Jatta had plenty of space after four minutes, and Nathaniel Brown was just able to fend off his cross pass in front of the Eintracht goal for a corner.
Eintracht had a hard time. You could tell from the team: Everything is tough right now, things aren’t going easy. The team had massive problems becoming dangerous against the opponent, who was deep after the first few minutes. There was a lack of speed and a lack of depth. Typical symptoms when teams go into competitive games without self-confidence. HSV, however, soon largely refrained from risky offensive actions, preferring to stay in a securely staggered defensive formation. And waited for Frankfurter mistakes.
HSV does not take advantage of Frankfurt’s mistakes
Eintracht’s negligence came. A lot went for HSV, especially on Hamburg’s right side of the attack with Jatta, because Frankfurt revealed enormous positional errors here. In the 22nd minute, Jatta Ransford played Königsdörffer free, but his shot from half-right slipped. Three minutes later, the slats of the Frankfurt box trembled. Jatta again brought Fabio Vieira into play this time, whose shot from 16 meters hit the crossbar.
It wasn’t until the 38th minute that the hosts, who seemed increasingly sedate, had their first chance. After a mistake in Hamburg’s build-up game, it went to Ansgar Knauff, who brought Uzun into shooting position. Daniel Heuer-Fernandes deflected his shot from 13 meters from a half-right position for a corner.
Frankfurt’s Burkardt and Kalimuendo sidelined
Shrill whistles from the stands accompanied the two teams into the break, the long face of Burkardt or that of Arnaud Kalimuendo, who was completely ineffective on the left wing, spoke volumes.
Hamburg’s Nicolai Remberg (l.) in a duel with Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown
Things had to get better in the second half. And that was it from Frankfurt’s perspective. Because Hamburg also made mistakes – right after the break in the person of Jatta. He carelessly lost the ball on his right side during the build-up and Uzun came into play. The young star dribbled, didn’t let himself be stopped and finished from 15 meters to make it 1-0 (48th).
Hamburg’s Grönbaek answers Uzun’s brainwave
But the Hessians couldn’t really enjoy their lead for long. The next somnolence in defense followed, which enabled HSV to equalize almost immediately. During a Hamburg attack from the left, crosser Warmed Omari was not disturbed; Grönbaek was allowed to receive the ball undisturbed at the second post and shoot with a dropkick into the far corner – 1:1 (50th).
Things were going that way for Eintracht. A classy move gave HSV a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute: Grönbaek lobbed the ball into the path of Vieira, who hit the far corner from a 12-meter half-left position – Frankfurt had once again refused any challenge.
Burkardt left the field shaking his head
Riera, who appeared increasingly frustrated, acted on the sidelines – brought in three new players. Among other things, Burkardt also had to leave the field – shaking his head. Eintracht tried a few things again, but were unable to break down Hamburg’s tight defensive barrier. The team once again lacked any lightness and had no ideas against the now deep opponent. And so the defeat was deserved in the end. To make matters worse, substitute Rasmus Kristensen also saw a yellow-red card in stoppage time and will miss the next match.
Frankfurt in Dortmund, HSV against Freiburg
The upcoming program for both teams: Frankfurt will be guests at Borussia Dortmund on Friday evening (8.30 p.m.). HSV welcomes SC Freiburg on Sunday afternoon (3:30 p.m.).
