Match Report
12.03.21
Efficient HSV battle for big win in Bochum
Amadou Onana and Khaled Narey's goals were enough for HSV to get back to winning ways in Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Hamburger SV struck two decisive blows in a match lacking in goalmouth action at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion on Friday night (12th March), landing a vital victory against league leaders VfL Bochum. Amadou Onana scored gave HSV the lead just before the half-hour mark, before being recklessly fouled by Danny Blum, who ensured his teammates had to play for almost an hour with a man less. The man-advantage wasn't visible for the visitors in a second half lacking in chances, but secured the win a minute from time with a superb near-post strike by Khaled Narey.
Onana at the centre of first half
Daniel Thioune made one enforced change from the team that had drawn against Holstein Kiel on Monday night, the injured David Kinsombi replaced in central midfield by Amadou Onana. The importance of the game, first against third in the table, meant that the opening exchanges were cagey, both teams making a number of mistakes in possession and unable to build any momentum. The Rothosen gradually found their way into the game, growing in confidence after their recent run of five winless games. Josha Vagnoman burst past Herbert Bockhorn and laid back to Simon Terodde on the penalty spot, only for the targetman to slip whilst shooting and the ball flew harmlessly wide.
The momentum in the game shifted dramatically in the space of seven minutes in the middle of the first period after a very even opening. Amadou Onana put the Rothosen in front with their second attack of the game, Aaron Hunt's deep free-kick from the left-hand side finding its way through to the Belgian youngster, who took one touch before firing past the helpless Manuel Riemann with his left to give the visitors the lead. The 19-year-old was involved again in the 35th minute, dribbling towards the Bochum goal on the halfway line, and unnecessarily tackled from behind by Danny Blum, directly onto the midfielder's calf. Referee Dr. Felix Brych observed the scene and deliberated before reaching to his back pocket and sending off the Bochum midfielder. With a man extra, the visitors started to stamp their authority on the game, enjoying more possession but just lacking the final pass to create any more clear-cut chances.
Narey seals the deal
Despite being a man down, it was the hosts who started the second half the stronger, pressing their guests back into their own half and enjoying four corners in a row, Robert Zulj's set-piece delivery not quite up to the high standard he has set himself in the past few weeks, and all could be cleared by the HSV defence. On an increasingly wet playing surface, the Rothosen had trouble in possession, pressed high by Bochum and unable to break through the hosts' press to open up their exposed backline, and regularly losing the ball through Sven Ulreich or the defensive line.
Three substitutions couldn't change Hamburg's fortunes, the introduction of Jung, Narey and Wintzheimer from the bench unable to see Hamburg become more confident and accurate in possession. Despite Bochum looking more likely, they also rarely threatened Sven Ulreich, Robert Zulj coming closest with a fierce effort from the left-hand edge of the box. Having barely strung an attack together in the attacking third in the second half, the Rothosen finished the game off one minute from the end of regulation. Gideon Jung won the ball expertly off his opponent, playing to Manuel Wintzheimer who found Khaled Narey on the right-hand edge of the box, needing one touch to shift the ball out from under his feet before hammering past Riemann from a tight angle to secure the win. Two moments of individual quality from HSV decided an even encounter, and Daniel Thioune's men will look to build some momentum next Saturday (kick-off 1:00pm CET) at the Volksparkstadion against Heidenheim.
Game overview
VfL Bochum: Riemann – Bockhorn (87' Novothny), Bella Kotchap (90'+3 Decarli), Leitsch, Soares - Losilla, Tesche - Holtmann, Zulj, Blum - Ganvoula (42' Pantovic)
Hamburger SV: Ulreich - Gyamerah, Ambrosius, Heyer, Vagnoman - Onana (67' Jung), Hunt (90'+1 Gjasula) - Jatta (75' Narey), Dudziak (67' Wintzheimer), Kittel (90'+1 Meissner) - Terodde
Goals: 0-1 Onana (29'), 0-2 Narey (89')
Spectators: unfortunately none
Referee: Dr. Felix Brych (Munich)
Yellow cards: Tesche (74'), Losilla (89') / Vagnoman (41'), Onana (46'), Jatta (55')
Red cards: Blum (35') / -