2nd Bundesliga: HSV missed a return to second place after a 2-2 draw against Darmstadt

Hamburger SV missed a return to second place in the 2nd Bundesliga in the second game under the direction of interim coach Merlin Polzin. In the 34-year-old’s home debut as a temporary coach, the North Germans deservedly failed to score more than 2-2 (2-1) against the strong SV Darmstadt 98 at the Volksparkstadion. The Hessians have remained unbeaten in the league since the end of September.

In a highly entertaining game, Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer (10th minute) and Adam Karabec (45th) scored the goals for the Hanseatic League with a dream goal. Aleksandar Vukotic (33rd) and Kilian Corredor (63rd) each equalized for the Lilies. In front of the 51,616 spectators, HSV appeared far too passive at times.

Darmstadt better in the game

In the week before the game, sports director Stefan Kuntz announced that interim coach Polzin would initially look after the Hamburg team until the winter. After separating from Steffen Baumgart, Polzin, who had been an assistant under several coaches since 2020, had already looked after the team in the 3-1 win in Karlsruhe.

The Darmstadt team, who lost their DFB Cup round of 16 in Bremen 0-1 on Tuesday, gained significantly more possession of the ball in the first half. HSV benefited from a successful transition and a great pass from Jean-Luc Dompé to Königsdörffer, who made it 1-0. On the other side, central defender Vukotic equalized with a header.

HSV came back with a stroke of genius. Daniel Elfadli quickly took a free kick and midfielder Adam Karabec shot the ball irresistibly into the top left corner.

In the second half, the guests continued to be slightly superior in many respects. The strong Corredor scored to equalize. Elfadli failed for HSV with a header that hit the crossbar. Hamburg goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes saved his team from conceding another goal shortly before the end with two saves. Substitute Davie Selke also missed a great chance to make it 3-2.