Match report

1-1! A POINT IN HOLLERBACH’S FIRST GAME IN CHARGE

HSV EARN A HARD-FOUGHT DRAW IN LEIPZIG. BRUMA PUT THE HOSTS INTO THE LEAD EARLY ON (9’) BUT FILIP KOSTIC EQUALISED SOON AFTER (29’).

HSV had a point to celebrate in Bernd Hollerbach’s bow as head coach in the Bundesliga. The Rothosen fought to a 1-1 draw at RB Leipzig on Saturday afternoon (27th January). HSV didn’t start too well, however. Bruma gave the hosts an early lead after just nine minutes. HSV came back with great character and didn’t stop running and got their reward with the equaliser on the half-hour mark through Filip Kostic (29’). In the second half, the hosts had a few chances to nick it and HSV also went close to taking the three points back to Hamburg so the draw can be seen as a fair result at the end of the day.

Leipzig took the lead early on - Bruma headed the ball home to make it 1-0 and Sakai could not block the strike.

AN EARLY WAKE-UP CALL...

Everyone was interested to see how Bernd Hollerbach would set out his side in his first game in charge. He made five changes to the starting XI which started the last game – Mathenia came in for Pollersbeck in goal, whilst van Drongelen, Walace, Sakai and Wood came in for Mavraj, Janjicic, Hahn and Holtby. The Rothosen started in a 3-5-2 formation. Sakai, Papadopoulos and van Drongelen played as centre-backs whilst Diekmeier and Douglas Santos played as wing-backs. Jung Hunt and Walace operated in the centre of midfield with Wood and Kostic up top.

The plan was to remain stable and keep it tidy at the back against a strong team who finished second last season. That was thrown out of the window after nine minutes however sa the hosts took their first chance of the game to make it 1-0. After HSV lost the ball in midfield, Leipzig countered extremely quickly. Bruma headed home Sabitzer’s cross into the far corner past the outstretched arms of Mathenia.

Kostic is congratulated by Walace after scoring his third goal of the season.

HSV HIT BACK COOLY

HSV took a bit of time to settle back into their game after the goal and they were lucky that Augustin wasted a huge chance by firing wide from just ten yards out. Werner let another chance slide minutes later (25’) and it cost Leipzig as HSV struck back clinically. With the Rothosen’s first shot on goal, Kostic scored the equaliser to make it 1-1. Jung had played the ball past Orban in the middle and the Serbian ran around Gulacsi and slotted the ball home

Leipzig continued to pile on the pressure in the second half but HSV defended with physicality and passion. Apart from a Sabitzer chance which was denied by Mathenia, there were not many other clear-cut chances for the hosts. At the other end, Augustin blocked a shot from Wood (61’). Mathenia remained alert late on to prevent a free-kick from Sabitzer and a long-range effort from Keita. HSV continued to work hard until the end and earned a hard-fought but just point.

MATCH FACTS:

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi - Laimer, Orban, Upamecano, Klostermann - Demme (58’ Keita), Kampl - Sabitzer, Bruma (81’ Kaiser) - Werner, Augustin (71’ Poulsen)

Hamburger SV: Mathenia - Sakai, Papadopoulos, van Drongelen - Diekmeier, Douglas - Walace, Hunt (85’ Salihovic), Jung - Kostic, Wood (77’ Arp)

Goals: 1-0 Bruma (9’), 1-1 Kostic (29’)

Attendance: 40,000

Referee: Benjamin Cortus

Yellow Cards: - / Hunt (10’), Papadopoulos (58’)