Match Report

HSV beaten 3-2 in Mainz

Matchday 8 ended in defeat for HSV. After a good firts-half performancec, the game was lost for the Rothosen after two early second-half goals from the hosts.

HSV left Mainz on 14th October empty-handed. The Rothosen conceded as early as the second minute through Alexandru Maxim, but responded quickly with a goal from Walace and enjoyed the upper-hand for a while. Two quick goals from the home side after the restart, however, put the game beyond Markus Gisdol’s men. Stefan Bell and Danny Latza scored within seven minutes of each other, making it 3-1 before the hour mark. Hamburg’s goal to make it 3-2 proved to be too little too late.

HSV hit back instantly

HSV head coach Markus Gisdol fielded almost exactly the same eleven men as in the Nordderby draw against Werder Bremen before the international break. Papadopoulos (suspended) was replaced by Mavraj, and Janjicic was replaced in the defensive midfield by Walace. The Brazilian soon justified his coach’s decision, his volley in the ninth minute coming as a timely equaliser for the Rothosen. Alexandru Maxim had already put Mainz ahead after two minutes, but that was clearly a wake-up call for HSV, who went on to dominate for long spells in the first half. On several occasions, the visitors found gaps in the Mainz defence and created chances to go ahead, the best of which fell to Hahn, who hit the bar just moments before the break. The hosts had done the same on around the half-hour mark – Danny Latza, almost coming back to haunt HSV with yet another long-range effort, this time only hitting the woodwork. The teams went in at half time with the score at 1-1, a fair reflection on the first 45 minutes, even with HSV having a little more of the possession and chances.

Two quick goals kill the game

It took less than ten minutes in the second half for the game to turn in Mainz’s favour. Once again, the hosts were more alert from the outset, and they got their reward, hitting Hamburg twice in the first 13 minutes of the second half and all-but putting the game to bed. Stefan Bell put his side back in front from a corner, heading the ball over the line from less than a yard out, before Danny Latza followed up with another long-range effort, this time getting the better of Mathenia. So despite a promising first half, the opening stages of the second half paved the way for another away defeat. After going 3-1 down, nothing else would go Hamburg’s way: for example, when Gbamin brought Bobby Wood down in the penalty area, but the referee decided not to award the penalty. Hamburg got their penalty with just minutes left on the clock, awarded by the Video Assistant. Salihovic stepped up and converted, meaning it was a nervy finish for Mainz, one which Kostic almost took advantage of with a solo effort right at the death.