Friendly match

1-1! Ekdal returns in 1-1 draw with Cagliari Calcio

The Rothosen drew 1-1 with Italian Serie A side Cagliari Calcio on Wednesday evening (August 10). Both goals were scored from the penalty spot.

The Rothosen returned from Sardinia after drawing 1-1 with Italian top flight side Cagliari Calcio. Both goals came from the penalty spot. Farias put the home side ahead on 14 minutes, before Aaron Hunt equalised for the visitors on 35 minutes.

The trip to the Mediterranean island was partially down to HSV veteran Albin Ekdal. The Swede played for the Italians from 2011 until 2015. Part of the deal which took him to Hamburg was an agreement that the teams would play each other twice. The first game was won by HSV 4-1 in Hamburg last year. This time the Italians hosted the Bundesliga side and did so in some style, as a healthy pre-season crowd of 8,000 warmly applauded their “long lost son” back to the club.

Bobby Wood takes on two Cagliari men — Bobby Wood started the game and had the first scoring chance.

First chance through Wood

Perfect playing conditions greeted both sides as they took to the pitch with temperatures of around 20 degrees. The game began brightly and Hamburg created the first chance, as a clearance by Djourou landed behind the Italian defence and found new signi9ng Bobby Wood. The USA international reacted quickest to reach the ball only to be denied by home keeper Storari.

The Italians then enjoyed their best period of the game. First Gideon Jung lost the ball to Ionita in midfield, before Borriello blazed the ball over the crossbar from just inside the box (10.). Four minutes later the home side took the lead from the penalty spot after Ostrzolek and Farias tussled inside the Hamburg box. Match referee di Napoli pointed to the spot and the ensuing spot kick was duly dispatched by Farias (14.).

Aaron Hunt stretches for the ball. — Utility man. Aaron Hunt played in two positions and equalised from the spot.

Hunt from the spot

HSV began to take control after the opening goal and Halilovic tested Storari with an effort from distance (25.). The keeper was in the spotlight again ten minutes later as he brought down Cleber inside the Italian penalty area. The resulting penalty was coolly slotted home by Aaron Hunt (35.).

Labbadia brough on Gregoritsch and Müller for Jung and Halilovic for the second half. Hunt reverted to defensive midfield from the number ten slot, allowing Gregoritsch to play behind the front line. The latter also had his side’s first chance of the second half, sending a shot just wide on the hour mark. The visitors thought they had scored from a set piece as Müller headed against the crossbar from close range and the ball looked to have crossed the line. The referee however waved play on. Late substitute Barella struck the bar near the end of the game which ended in a 1-1 draw. HSV boss Labbadia seemed happy enough after full time as he told us: "It was a good test for us. We played well at times and created chances. We also threatened from set pieces. Cagliari were almost only dangerous when our mistakes allowed them to be. That is something we have to put a stop to."

Match details:

Cagliari Calcio: Storari – Krajnc, Alves, Salamon – Padoin, Munari (63.Tetteh), di Gennaro (68.Barella), Ionita (84.Deiola), Capuano (72.Isla) – Farias, Borriello (79.Arras)

HSV: Adler – Sakai, Djourou, Cleber, Ostrzolek – Ekdal (69.Diekmeier), Jung (46.Gregoritsch) – Halilovic (46.Müller), Hunt (79.Porath), Kostic (69.Waldschmidt) – Wood (79.Lasogga)

Goals: 1:0 Farias (14., pen), 1:1 Hunt (35, pen.)

Booked: - / Sakai (65.)

Referee: Maresca di Napoli

Att: 8,000