Disaster averted, HSV edge past Pirmasens after extra time | OneFootball

HSV survived the first round of the DFB Cup by the skin of their teeth: Against fifth-division side FK Pirmasens, the promoted team celebrated a hard-fought 2-1 victory after extra time.

One week before the Bundesliga opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach (August 24), Hamburger SV remains in crisis mode. In the duel with the carefree Oberliga team, the northern club narrowly avoided an early exit. As seen during pre-season, their own play showed glaring deficiencies at times.

HSV lucky to be 0-0 at halftime

As expected, the Rothosen dominated possession from the start. However, at no point could they convert their high share of play into meaningful scoring chances. Merlin Polzin’s team played sluggishly and showed no creativity in attack. Only after a free kick from Miro Muheim did FKP keeper Benjamin Reitz have to intervene (34’). Dominance? HSV didn’t show any at any point!

On the contrary: The Palatinate Oberliga side was clearly the more dangerous team in the first half! The best chance fell to Thomas Selensky, who, after a counterattack, was left completely unmarked but failed to beat Daniel Heuer Fernandes (44’). Before that, the hosts had already come close to scoring several times.

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Of all people, Grieß! HSV fan scores the opener

Polzin reacted to his team’s poor performance by making three substitutions at halftime. But things got even worse: After a corner, Pirmasens captain Yannick Grieß, a self-confessed HSV fan and member, scored the much-celebrated and well-deserved 1-0 lead for the hosts (53’).

How did HSV respond? At first, not at all. The Bundesliga side continued to struggle against the now even deeper-lying FKP. Only from the 65th minute did the Hanseatics gain more control: Center-back Warmed Omari (72’) and substitute Emir Sahiti (73’) had huge chances to equalize.

In the remaining 20 minutes, HSV launched wave after wave of attacks on the Palatinate goal. Another top chance fell to Sahiti, who was denied from close range by the outstanding Reitz (84’).

But against the bravely fighting amateurs from Pirmasens, the North Germans managed a last-gasp equalizer: The recently substituted center-back Guilherme Ramos headed in from a Muheim corner to make it 1-1 (90+2’). At the very last moment, HSV made it to extra time!

Königsdörffer sends HSV into celebration

Once again, it was a set piece that saved the Elbe city team: Ransford Königsdörffer headed in a perfectly placed free-kick cross from Muheim to give HSV a 2-1 lead (100’) and set the course for progression. After that, the Bundesliga side held on to the result.

By the skin of their teeth, HSV advances to the second round of the DFB Cup. However, with the start of the season fast approaching, there is still plenty of work ahead for Merlin Polzin and his coaching staff. One thing is certain: This team is far from being Bundesliga-ready!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.