Match report

3-0, HSV beaten heavily in Frankfurt

Wolf (31’), Mascarell (77’) and Meier (90’) get the goals for Eintracht, even though Ito and Holtby had the ball in the back of the net for HSV with the referees intervening both times.

HSV have lost their so-called semi final. On Saturday evening (5th May) the Rothosen lost 3-0 (1-0) to Eintracht Frankfurt. Christian Titz and his team thought they had fired themselves into the lead in the 25th minute through Ito only for VAR to rule it out. Six minutes later, Marius Wolf headed the hosts in front. In the second half, as time was running out, HSV did everything they could; committing men forward but leaving themselves short at the back. Frankfurt capitalised on this numerical advantage with two late goals through Mascarell (77’) and Alex Meier (90’). Although with Wolfsburg’s 4-1 home loss to RB Leipzig, the Rothosen’s chances of survival remain intact and will need to win on the last matchday, while Wolfsburg lose to Köln.

Tatsuya Ito scores but the goal is ruled out.

Up one end then down the other

Christian Titz made just one change to the team that started last weekend against VfL Wolfsburg. Albin Ekdal came into the XI with Filip Kostic dropping to the bench. The idea was to bring more stability in the centre, which worked well in the opening stages, as HSV looked organised at the back and calm in the middle. With over 60% possession in the first half, the Rothosen looked good and were able to convert this possession in the 25th minute as Hunt picked out Ito beautifully with a through ball into the area. Ito then slotted the ball past Hradecky wonderfully and HSV were in the ascendency. The referee however wanted to check the goal with the video assistants. The goal was deemed offside and brought back, although the decision seems somewhat unclear.

With this unfortunate, perhaps incorrect decision, the game then continued this downward turn as Frankfurt scored just minutes later through Wolf. Eintracht made use of their luck and this first real chance of the match, as Haller put Wolf through who slotted the ball through the legs of Pollersbeck from around 12 yards out (31’). The Rothosen seemed slightly shocked afterwards and Mascarell had the chance to double Frankfurt’s lead shortly after but was stopped well by Pollersbeck. HSV therefore went in at the break 1-0 down, with it all to do in the second half.

HSV apply pressure, SGE score

Titz made two changes at the start of the second half, as Ito had to be switched out for suspected concussion. On came Kostic in his place, with the other change being Waldschmidt entering the field for Ekdal. The Rothosen started in a similar way to how they started the first half with lots of possession but in the first 15 they were unable to convert this into any dangerous play. After this scrappy opening period in the second half, a flurry of chances came for HSV, first Wood’s effort was kicked away by Hradecky, then Santos had a good effort from range collected by the Eintracht keeper. In the 67th minute Santos again tried from range and his strike was deflected onto the post. Holtby then latched onto the rebound and headed into an open net but this time the goal was again ruled out for offside with the forward clearly ahead of the play.

When HSV again looked like scoring, Eintrach were clinical. Willems came down the left-hand side but his effort was well saved by Pollersbeck, however the rebound was picked up and struck by Mascarell, with his shot being deflected into the far corner (77’). The second goal for the hosts proved to be decisive as HSV were unable to challenge their lead afterwards. In injury time, the recently subbed-on Meier got the sucker punch with a well-executed volley (90+1’).
In the closing minutes however, there was a slight ray of light for the Rothosen as Nicolai Müller celebrated his comeback. The midfielder has been out since matchday 1 this season but managed to complete the last ten minutes today. With Wolfsburg’s 4-1 defeat at home to Leipzig, HSV can still retain their hopes of safety with a win next weekend and if Wolfsburg lose.

The game in short:

Eintracht Frankfurt: Hradecky - da Costa, Salcedo, Abraham, Willems, Chandler (17’ Russ) - Wolf (67’ Gacinovic), Mascarell, Fernandes, Boateng - Haller (87’ Haller)

Hamburger SV: Pollersbeck - Sakai (80’ Müller), Papadopoulos, Jung, Douglas - Steinmann - Hunt, Ekdal (45’ Kostic), Holtby, Ito (45’ Waldschmidt) - Wood

Goals: 1-0 Wolf (31’), 2-0 Mascarell (77’), 3-0 Meier (90’)

Spectators: 51,500 (sold-out)

Referee: Deniz Aytekin

Yellow cards: Willems (28’)

Red cards: none