Match report
13.05.17
1-1! HSV take crucial point at Schalke
Never say die HSV fought their way to a 1-1 draw at the sold out Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday afternoon. In doing so they clung onto life in the top flight for now.
A dramatic scrap at the sold out Veltins-Arena (61,500) saw HSV grab a life-saving equaliser two minutes into injury time at the end of the second half by substitute striker Pierre-Micel Lasogga on Saturday afternoon (13.05). The penultimate game of the season ended in a 1-1 draw after Guido Burgstaller had given the home side the lead on 25 minutes. The crucial point ensured not only that HSV did not get relegated for the first time ever today, but also ensured that a victory at VfL Wolfsburg next Saturday would ensure top flight safety.
Early setback…
HSV coach Markus Gisdol was without injured midfielder Hunt as well as suspended central defender Mavraj whose place in the team went to Jung while regular full back Ostrzolek reverted to defensive midfield. Hunt’s omission paved the way for a first start for 18 year old Jatta. What a game to make your first start in! The youngster played well but missed a real sitter on the stroke of half time as a pass from former Schalke favourite Holtby left him one on one with home keeper Fährmann, but dragged his shot wide, much to the disgust of the more than 6,000-strong contingent of travelling HSV fans.
Schalke had more of the ball but struggled to break down the well-organised Hamburg defence. That changed on 25 minutes as the home side took the lead with their first real chance of the game as slack marking allowed Burgstaller to head the ball home to make it 1-0. They deserved their half time lead after Dutch striker Huntelaar struck a post in his final home game before leaving Gelsenkirchen. Burgstaller missed an open goal shortly afterwards. HSV went into the break with the feeling that they had greatly improved in the latter stages of the opening half.
Last minute equaliser
That impression continued after the break as they got forward at every opportunity while keeping things tight at the back. A shot from distance here a promising move there became the order of the day while the home side sat back on their slender lead hoping to hit the visitors on the break. Schalke had a few decent counter attacks none of which however were converted. HSV began to up the anti the longer the game progressed.
Gisdol brought on attacking trio Waldschmidt, Gregoritsch and Lasogga in a final roll of the dice after news of what was happening at other grounds filtered through. It became clear that should HSV not take at least a point at Schalke they would have been relegated for the first time in their history. The Rothosen got stuck in and created further good scoring chances including two more sitters as first Holtby and then Wood lost out in one on one situations with home stopper Fährmann. The visitors stuck to their guns and were finally rewarded as Holtby set up Lasogga for a dramatic but well deserved equaliser two minutes into injury time (90+2). There was more drama to come too! Four minutes into injury time Kolasinac nodded home a corner by Geis, but luckily for the visitors the ball was ruled out of play on ist way into the box. Phew!
It was an amazing end to an emotional encounter in Gelsenkirchen! Next Saturday (20.05.17, 3.30 PM) the Rothosen have to beat VfL Wolfsburg at the VW-Arena in the final game of the season if they are to stay up without having to endure another two-legged relegation play off nail biter.
The Rothosen live to fight another day!
Match details:
Schalke 04: Fährmann - Coke, Höwedes, Nastasic, Kehrer - Goretzka, Bentaleb (90.+1 Geis) - D. Caligiuri (61. Avdijaj), Kolasinac - Huntelaar (80. Stambouli), Burgstaller
HSV: Mathenia - Diekmeier (85. Lasogga), Papadopoulos, Jung, Sakai - Janjicic (78. Gregoritsch), Ostrzolek - Jatta (72. Waldschmidt), Holtby, Kostic - Wood
Goals: 1:0 Burgstaller (25.), 1:1 Lasogga (90.+2)
Att: 61.500 (sold out)
Booked: Nastasic (8.), Kolasinac