0-2 - HSV loses at 1. FC Kaiserslautern

HSV with the ball, FCK with bite ...

Compared to the 6:1 victory against Hannover 96, HSV coach Tim Walter had to make two changes in the starting line-up: Instead of Moritz Heyer (cold) and Jonas Meffert (calf problems), Miro Muheim and Anssi Suhonen got the starting mandate. The latter also provided the first approach to goal for the blue-clad Hamburg side in the 6th minute when FCK keeper Andreas Luthe deflected his cross over the crossbar. Beyond that, the Red Shorts failed to register another shot in the early stages, but maintained control of the game between the penalty areas with plenty of possession (67:33 per cent) and good counter-pressing. The first top chance of the match belonged to the Red Devils again: Nicolas de Preville suddenly appeared free in the opponent's penalty area after a switching action, but failed to save by Daniel Heuer Fernandes (21.). 

As a result, the two teams became more and more equal in midfield, where the home side in particular set the tone in the duels with many small fouls and thus repeatedly interrupted the flow of the game. Hamburg, for their part, made their mark mainly through the right side of the attack and Bakery Jatta, but with the exception of a few half-chances from crosses that Luthe was not always able to defuse with aplomb, remained without any penetrative power. The lively Suhonen still had the best shot at goal, but just missed the target shortly before the break (44th).