Match report

Holtby the hero as HSV defeat Dresden 1-0

HSV overcame Dresden on Monday evening in a close but deserved 1-0 victory. Lewis Holtby scored the late winner in the 84th minute.

Despite a number of high quality chances for the home side, HSV’s home clash with Dynamo Dresden looked headed towards a 0-0 draw until Lewis Holtby’s gamble paid off to give Die Rothosen the victory and a very important three points.

Pierre-Michel Lasogga was increasingly dangerous in the first half and came very close to a breakthrough.

Lasogga the troublemaker...

HSV coach Hannes Wolf made two changes to the side that defeated Nürnberg in midweek. The versatile Jung replaced suspended Sakai in defence, and the club’s leading goalscorer Lasogga returned to the starting XI up front following a spell on the sidelines due to a calf injury. Lasogga almost put the hosts ahead in the 3rd minute and continued to be a nuisance in the Dresden box.
Dresden also had chances of their own. Defending high up the pitch, they had opportunities to score at points throughout the half, but HSV remained largely in control of the game – wingers Jatta and Narey providing a constant threat. However, the two sides couldn’t be separated after 45 minutes and the first half ended scoreless.

Bakery Jatta was one of a number of players whose relentless search for a goal put the Dresden defence under pressure.

... And Holtby the hero!

It was a different game after half time. The first good chance of the second half fell to the visitors through striker Koné, but Dresden eventually adopted a deeper and more defensive approach allowing Die Rothosen more room in midfield, albeit with less room to maneuver around the box. As a result, the play often resembled a game of handball, with both sides cramped into Dresden’s end of the field.

Dresden’s plan came unstuck after Lewis Holtby was rewarded for the team’s hard work and pressure. Holtby and Fiete Arp, who had just come onto the pitch, closed down Dresden goalkeeper Schubert, allowing the captain to capitalise on a lapse in concentration and put the hosts ahead in the 84th minute. A late, yet deserved “Goal of the Day”, which secured an important three points for HSV.

Match Statistics:

Hamburger SV: Pollersbeck - Jung, Bates, van Drongelen, Santos (60’ Vagnoman) - Mangala - Narey, Holtby, Özcan (77’ Ito), Jatta (84’ Arp) - Lasogga

Dynamo Dresden: Schubert - Wahlqvist, Gonther (87’ Röser), Müller, Hamalainen - Nikolaou - Benatelli, Burnic - Ebert (72‘ Berko), Duljevic (85‘ Atilgan) - Koné

Goal: 1-0 Holtby (84’)

Attendance: 46,924

Referee: Frank Willenborg (Osnabrück)

Yellow cards: Holtby (57’), Jung (77’)