3-1! HSV defeat Schalke in season opener

Rothosen fall behind early on…

HSV head coach Tim Walter placed his trust in the side which defeated FC Basel in the final friendly (1-0), as he named an unchanged lineup for the season opener in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation with a midfield diamond. It was a rough start for HSV, as Schalke’s Simon Terodde came back to haunt his former club. After narrowly missing the target in the 5th minute, he found the back of the net just two minutes later. After Jan Gyamerah lost possession on the halfway line, Marius Bülter sent Terodde in behind, who gave HSV keeper Heuer Fernandes no chance with his chip to make it 1-0 to the home side. A VAR check ruled against a potential offside and the goal stood.

HSV didn't respond well and allowed too many misplaced passes in their build-up game, posing little to no threat to the five-man Schalke backline. As the game wore on, however, the home side became more and more passive, and the Rothosen seized more control of the game as they managed to shift play almost completely into their opponents' half. The reward did not take long to come: David Kinsombi received possession on the corner of the Schalke area, turned on his touch and was brought down by Florian Flick. Referee Timo Gerach did not hesitate and immediately pointed to the spot. Unfortunately, Robert Glatzel didn't make the most of his spot kick and S04 keeper Langer guessed the right way to keep the scores at 1-0 (28'). Marius Bülter (36') and Thomas Ouwejan (45'+4) each had chances at the other end but were denied by either the side netting or the impressive Heuer Fernandes. As a result, Hamburg went into the break with a narrow one-goal deficit.