Eintracht Frankfurt vs Hamburger SV Match Preview
Frankfurt, one of last season’s surprises opened with a 2-1 loss to Hanover. Hamburg was the best team with the exception of Hoffenheim on the opening weekend. They have the tendency to start every season with a bang but tend to fade away towards the end. Games such as the one against an ordinary but solid team such as Frankfurt are the ones that HSV struggle in most.
Hamburg is not in European competition this year which can play to their advantage. Ruud Van Nistelrooy was excellent on the opening day as he struck twice and even hit the post once from a free-kick. The stand out performer was midfield general David Jarolim. He was the first to ever loose ball, tackled excellently and read the game very well.
A look at their squad suggests that HSV are not short of options, especially due to the versatility of players such as Marcell Jansen. They have lost Jerome Boateng but have signed two able replacements in Schalke old boy Heiko Westermann and youngster Dennis Diekmeier. Westermann who was perhaps not at his best on opening day has taken over the captain’s armband.
Considering Hamburg’s opening day win, they are expected to win this one.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Hamburger SV Match Report
Frankfurt took the lead through Patrick Ochs. Halil Altintop ran past the Hamburg midfielders and defenders and played a beautiful ball to Ioannis Amanitidis. Amanitidis crossed to Ochs who found the back of the net.
Hamburg found the equalizer after the hour mark. Joris Mathijsen headed in from a Ze Roberto corner. Ruud Van Nistelrooy found the net with a header in the 81st minute following another Ze Roberto corner.
Hamburg shut the door in Frankfurt’s face in the 89th minute. A long ball from Frank Rost, Hamburg’s keeper found Jose Paolo Guerrero. Guerrero turned the Frankfurt defender inside out and hit a clean strike to complete the comeback.
