Defeat in Hamburg
Pál Dárdai made one change to the team that ran out victorious in the DFB-Pokal for the game against Hamburg. Linus Gechter started at left back, with Jeremy Dudziak moving into midfield to replace the injured Suat Serdar.
VAR decisions in first half
After a cagey beginning that was dominated by hard-fought battles in the middle of the pitch, the game burst to life in the 18th minute. Robert Glatzel’s celebration was cut short, as his goal was ruled out by VAR for an offside in the build-up. A few minutes later, a HSV penalty was awarded, but VAR intervened again: László Bénes was found to have handled the ball before Toni Leistner’s foul on Glatzel. HSV’s luck would turn, however, as Jatta slotted home from 16 yards out to make it 1-0 to the hosts (38’). A handball from Márton Dárdai in the box in the fourth minute of stoppage time did result in a penalty this time, which Bénes duly converted to double the lead.
Head coach Pál Dárdai brought on Peter Pekarík for Pascal Klemens at half time, a move which saw Márton Dárdai pushed into midfield. He wasn’t there for long though, with an injury seeing him replaced by Marten Winkler in the 52nd minute. Marco Richter came closest for Hertha in the second half, cutting inside and firing a curling shot just inches wide of the post. HSV managed to wrap the game up with eight minutes to go, as Königsdörffer beat the offside trap and gave Glatzel an easy finish to make it 3-0.
Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes – van der Brempt, Ramos, Hadžikadunić, Muheim - Meffert (90+1’ Heyer) – Bénes, Reis (C - 77’ Öztunali) – Dompé (Königsdörffer), Jatta (85’ Nemeth) –Glatzel (90+2’ Megeed).
Hertha BSC: Ernst – Kenny, Leistner, M. Dárdai (52’ Winkler), Gechter – Klemens (46’ Pekarík), Dudziak (83’ Christensen) – P. Dárdai, Richter (C), Reese – Tabakovič (66’ Prevljak).
Goals: 1-0 Jatta (38’), 2-0 Bénes (45+4’), 3-0 Glatzel (82’)
Referee: Frank Willenborg
Yellow cards: Bénes, Meffert – Dudziak, Winkler
Attendance: 57,000 (sold out)