- Later Hertha compensation prevents HSV from being tabled
Hamburger SV was so close to the perfect start in the 2. Bundesliga season. After a mature performance for most of the game, the Hanseatics conceded an equalizer to Hertha BSC in the dying moments, settling for a 1:1 draw (1:0). The second win in as many games and the league lead slipped away.
"We saw two very good teams that wanted to win the game," said HSV coach Steffen Baumgart. "The first half was clearly ours, the second half clearly Hertha BSC's." His Berlin counterpart, Cristian Fiel, was similarly satisfied overall: "We showed what we wanted to do here today and that we didn't just come to Hamburg for a visit."**
In the 86th minute, Berlin's Jonjoe Kenny scored the game-winning goal, dashing HSV's hopes and securing Hertha's first point of the season. Ransford Königsdorffer had given the hosts the lead in the 11th minute.
Until a brief period at the start of the game, HSV dominated the first half in the sold-out Volksparkstadion under its new address, Uwe-Seeler-Allee 9. Coach Steffen Baumgart fielded the same starting lineup as in the 2:1 win against 1. FC Köln.
Königsdorffer scores again, like in Köln
Königsdorffer was again up front and delivered. After a perfect cross from Bakery Jatta, Königsdorffer scored his third goal of the season to give HSV the lead. Sebastian Schonlau (18') and Ludovit Reis (26') missed chances to extend the lead.
Berlin tried to create offensive chances, but their attempts were mostly too weak or saved by HSV keeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes. When they were in promising positions, HSV's defense, led by Schonlau, cleared everything.
Hertha BSC doesn't give up
Even after the break, HSV initially controlled the game. Hertha coach Cristian Fiel's team struggled against HSV's well-organized defense. Meanwhile, HSV threatened on the counter. Miro Muheim (50') narrowly missed after a quick HSV counterattack. Hertha kept pressing and had their best chance so far when Linus Gechter (58') hit the post. HSV also hit the post with a free kick from Immanuel Pherai. Seconds later, Kenny scored the equalizer. "That's football," Baumgart said in conclusion.
The following are the main categories of aid that HSV and Hertha BSC received in this challenging game. Despite having the upper hand in the first half, HSV struggled to maintain their lead in the second half due to Hertha's relentless efforts.
