Hamburg SV 1 - 0 Schalke 04
HSV dramatically ended Schalke’s fine unbeaten run in front of a capacity crowd in the AOL Arena on Saturday afternoon, as HSV won their round 11 Bundesliga clash 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Mehdi Mahdavikia, who was playing at right back! The little Iranian’s strike was enough to beat the visiting side that looked extremely nervous following their midweek 0-6 drubbing in the cup away to Frankfurt.
Trochowski on fire!
Perfect conditions greeted the teams as they took to the feld in the sold out AOL-Arena on Saturday afternoon, as unbeaten Schalke came to town to lock horns with HSV. The start of the game had the huge crowd on their seats, as Piotr Trochowski (in the side for the suspended Dutch master van der Vaart), fired in no less than 3 long range efforts in as many minutes. Rafinha cleared off the line as Atouba threatened after Schalke’s keeper Rost had misjudged a corner.
Shell shocked Schalke
HSV continued to dominate the side which lost a midweek cup match 0-6 in Frankfurt in midweek. It was plain to see that that heavy defeat had left scars on the visiting side, which made a sluggish start to the game. The nerves of coach Ralf Rangnick’s side were frayed and the fabulous AOL Arena atmosphere didn’t help their cause either.
Mehdi on the mark
Mehdi Mahdavikia started the game at right back in place of the injured and suspended Guy Demel. The Iranian striker has played in that position many times for his country. The inclusion of Mahdavikia was a move which paid off for coach Thomas Doll after 19 minutes. After a corner, Barbarez provided a superb quick ball into the Schalke area. The visiting defence failed to clear, and Mahdavikia unleashed an unstoppable volley from 10 metres out to give HSV the lead! It was Mehdi’s 3rd goal of the season.
Harmless visitors
HSV took their foot off the gas and allowed the visiting side plenty of possession, which they didn’t take advantage of. Danish striker Larsen had a half chance, blasting well over from 15 metres out. Schalke improved somewhat the longer the first half went on. A cross by Altintop was headed just over by Kuranyi on 37 minutes. Shortly afterwards the German international striker went close again as he lobbed just over after a defensive mix up involving Stefan Wächter and skipper Daniel van Buyten. The final of the half came as Stefan Beinlich curled a superb free kick onto the crossbar. HSV deserved their one goal lead at the break.
HSV on top
HSV started the second half as they had done the first. Strangely though, the home side stepped back and allowed the visitors more possession once again while waiting for a chance to counter attack. One of those attacks saw Mpenza set up Jarolim, who almost scored with a header which went agonisingly wide on 57 minutes.
Poulsen off!
On 61 minutes, Schalke’s Dane Poulsen was sent off for a body check on Abouda. The Dane had already been booked during the first half, so the referee had no choice but to give him his marching orders. HSV didn’t change their tactics. Even with a man advantage they stood back and let Schalke play. The visitors however, were visibly nervous and rarely threatened the home goal. A minute from time, van Buyten could have put Schalke out of their misery, but the man-mountain defender put his shot just wide of Rost’s goal. Schalke just gave up and HSV easily handed Schalke their first defeat of the Bundesliga season.
FC Schalke 04: Rost - Rafinha (69.Ernst), Rodriguez (79.Varela), Bordon, Krstajic - Poulsen - Kobiashvili, Altintop, Lincoln - Larsen (51.Sand), Kuranyi
Hamburger SV: Wächter - Mahdavikia, Boulahrouz, van Buyten, Atouba - Wicky, Jarolim, Beinlich, Trochowski (90.Klingbeil) - Barbarez, Mpenza (76.Lauth)
Goal: 1:0 Mahdavikia (20.)
Source: HSV.de
BUNDESLIGA
Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Bayern Munchen 11 28
2. Bremen 11 26
3. Hamburg 11 24
4. Schalke 11 18
5. Monchengladbach 11 18
