Hamburger SV suffered a 1-0 defeat at SC Paderborn 07 on Saturday. A late winner from Rayan Philippe in the 88th minute sealed the loss for the Rothosen in the Bundesliga.
The Match
For long periods the match was even, although the hosts took the initiative with 62 percent possession. Hamburger SV created few clear chances and managed just one shot on target. In the closing stages, Paderborn capitalised on a lapse in the HSV defence: Felix Götze set up Rayan Philippe, who scored from close range. Shortly before, Albert Sambi Lokonga had received a yellow card, and Merlin Polzin was booked for dissent in the 89th minute.
The Statistics
The numbers underline the defensive battle. Paderborn forced 16 shots, six of which were on target. HSV managed only eight attempts. The table's eighth-placed side also had the upper hand in corners (6:3) and possession (62:38). The Rothosen committed 15 fouls and received two yellow cards.
The Aftermath
The defeat leaves Hamburger SV in ninth place in the standings with nine points. The team has taken just one point from its last three games. The gap to the top is five points. A record of six goals scored and 15 conceded highlights current difficulties. The next task is an away game against 11th-placed Eintracht Frankfurt on 1 November. Before that, the DFB Pokal match against Frankfurt at the Volksparkstadion awaits on Tuesday. Coach Merlin Polzin must rally his team quickly after this disappointing performance.
Goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes criticized the team's performance after the 0:1 defeat in Paderborn. "The second half was not the standard we set for ourselves," he said. Coach Merlin Polzin saw a foul before the conceded goal. Injuries to Fábio Vieira and Bilal Nadir cause personnel concerns ahead of the DFB-Pokal match. HSV are in 10th place with 9 points.
Hamburger SV's injury worries have worsened. Following the 1-0 defeat in Paderborn, Fabio Vieira and Bilal Nadir have suffered thigh problems. Manager Merlin Polzin said, "If you have to come off that early, it's not good." Both will miss Tuesday's cup game against Frankfurt, as Yussuf Poulsen predicted. Nicolas Capaldo and Jordan Torunarigha were also absent injured. HSV are 10th with 9 points and have scored 6 goals while conceding 16.
Manager Merlin Polzin sharply criticised the referee's decision in the 0:1 defeat at Paderborn. "For me it's a clear foul, the Paderborn player only goes into the man," he said. Polzin spoke with referee Martin Petersen in his room after the match. Paderborn captain Felix Götze saw the incident differently: "It would have been very petty to blow for that." HSV are 10th with 9 points.
