Team captain Pirmin Schwegler and Sebastian Jung returned to the starting line-up replacing Celozzi and Lanig and winter signing Srdjan Lakic started up front instead of Karim Matmour. In the week manager Armin Veh had stated that there is a slight risk in starting Lakic but his move paid off in the best possible way.
Perfect Debut
Both teams tried to go forward right from the start and managed to get a decent flow of passes going on either side, despite the wintery pitch conditions. The first chance fell to Lakic who headed a Jung cross towards the HSV goal but missed it by a margin (9’).
The hosts were then slightly dominating the match but it took them a while until they created scoring opportunities. Aogo had a couple of attempts but missed the target (16’, 21’). At the other end Lakic proved to be more clinical scoring from close range after a build-up via Jung and Aigner – the Eagles took the lead after 21 minutes!
Double Up
Hamburg reacted with more pressure towards the Eintracht goal and they had various long range attempts coming from Rudnevs (26’, 34’) and Son (26’) but they failed to hit the target. Oczipka also had a go but HSV keeper Adler saved the slightly deflected shot.
Then the new signing crowned his fantastic debut - Stefan Aigner who has proven to be an attacking threat all season already hit a beauty of a cross and again found Lakic 2-0 (35’)! What an impact by the Croatian striker. Aigner came close himself minutes later but his attempt was saved by Adler and at the other end EIntracht keeper Trapp who had a great match again denied Arslan from scoring – the 2-0 lead stood at the break.
Pushy Hosts
After the break the Eagle kept coming and had another good scoring opportunity when Aigner set up Meier, Eintracht’s top score hit the side of the post. The Northerners did not hold back either an Trapp had a fantastic save when a Son header came flying in (50’), van der Vaarts powerful shot went over the bar (52’).
Again Meier came close to scoring Eintracht’s third but was denied by Adler who did well to parry Meier’s attempt (54’). HSV tried it again with a couple of Son attempts, to no effect though (62’, 68’). SGE now had to defend with passion and skill, HSV went for it pushing for their goal. Anderson, Zambrano and Trapp were at hand to even out Hamburg’s attempts around the 70th minute.
Good Goalie – Great Win
Eintracht only had a little chances from counter attacks one of which was handled by Adler who grabbed the ball before Inui could reach it (77‘). Berg had a couple of chances, one was over the bar and one was again saved greatly by Trapp – at the other end Meier’s shot came close but was Adler was at the end of it.
SGE’s cheerful supporters (total attendance 53,000) celebrated an impressive win – the first away to Hamburg since 1998. And they are now in their best season in 19 years, 36 points after 20 matchdays keeps them ranked fourth in the Bundesliga standings. Coming up is the home match agains 1. FC Nürnberg next Saturday (kick-off at 15.30h CET).
