For 72 minutes everything looked like a safe home win for 1. FC Heidenheim. But then Hamburger SV hit back and equalized.
The moment of equalization: HSV around Bakery Jatta celebrates, Heidenheimer (pictured: Christian Kühlwetter) is served.
IMAGO/Eibner
Heidenheim’s coach Frank Schmidt was able to rely on returnee Busch after the 2-0 defeat at Eintracht Braunschweig, and Pick was also included in the starting XI. Rittmüller and Sessa first had to sit on the bench.
Tim Walter had to do without central defender David after the 2-0 win in Rostock. Montero made his debut in his place, otherwise Hamburg’s coach left it with the winning eleven.
It was a lively game right from the start, in which both teams showed themselves to be offensive. On the one hand, Föhrenbach (7th) and Busch (7th) still lacked the necessary precision, on the other hand only the Heidenheim post stood in the way of an early Hamburg lead by Glatzel (8th). It always went back and forth quickly between the two penalty areas, with neither team being able to gain any real advantages.
Heidenheimer double blow – HSV unsettled
It became dangerous for Heuer Fernandes for the first time after 20 minutes when he made a strong save against Pick. However, he was soon defeated. The FCH, who repeatedly caused danger with high balls to target player Kleindienst, came in front of the goal via that same striker. His cross brought his congenial partner Thomalla dangerously into the penalty area with a dropkick, Beste pushed the ball over the line (27th).
An effective hit, as it should show. Just three minutes later, Busch had too much space on the right. Because neither Schonlau nor Heyer found their way into a header duel with Schöppner at the second post, it was 2-0 for the hosts within a very short time. From then on, HSV could see the uncertainty, the mistakes in the game structure increased.
Kleindienst follows up – Heidenheim misses the decision
At first these mistakes went unpunished, especially after a double chance by Kleindienst and Pick it should have been 3-0 (37 ‘), but the deserved goal came just before the break. Kleindienst turned around the unfortunate debutant and hit the left corner of the goal with a well-placed shot (41’).
After a desolate first half, Walter made two substitutions (Kittel and Benes for Dompé and Montero), but initially nothing changed in the course of the game. The only difference: Heidenheim was much more careless with his chances and failed to make everything clear early on: Neither Beste (51st), Pick (63rd) or Sessa (68th) used clear chances to make a preliminary decision. That should pay off.
Admittedly, until the final phase there was nothing to indicate that Hamburgers would rear their head: HSV continued to wobble defensively, on the offensive after Glatzel’s early hit on the post there was a gaping void in front of Müller’s goal in the first half.
HSV comes back impressively
But this should change immediately with the first chance. After 72 minutes it was substitute Katterbach who picked up Benes, who had also been substituted. His flank found the third joker in the group – Nemeth – who hit the net with his head. Suddenly, HSV realized that the game was far from over. There were only two more clear chances for the Rothosen afterwards – but unlike the negligent hosts, they knew how to exploit them coldly. First Glatzel hit the ball next to the left post (79′), then Jatta equalized no less beautifully with the left (88′).
The Heidenheimers, who already think they are lucky enough to win, will now welcome Nuremberg on Sunday (1.30 p.m.). HSV expects Bielefeld on Sunday (1.30 p.m.).
