Hamburger SV lost the first game with Bruno Labbadia back on the sidelines as they continue head towards the first relegation in the club's history. HSV suffered their fifth straight defeat, losing 1-0 in Bremen in the 102nd edition of the "Northern Derby." With 25 points to their name, Hamburg remain the bottom side, trailing Hannover in 15th place by four points.
Bremen striker Franco Di Santo converted a late penalty, giving Bremen new hope as they are closing in on the Europa League qualifying places. Viktor Skripnik's men are now in seventh place, following their 500th Bundesliga home victory.
Labbadia made a surprise return to HSV on Wednesday, replacing Peter Knäbel. He opted for just two changes in the starting XI, as Slobodan Rajkovic replaced the suspended Johan Djourou and Zoltan Stieber started for the slightly injured Marcelo Diaz.
Skripnik reacted to Bremen's defeat in Stuttgart and deployed five new players in his starting XI – including keeper Koen Casteels and U20 international Davie Selke. The changes appeared to have desired effect, as Bremen took control of the game right from the start.
The first chances however when to the visitors, with Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Stieber both dragging shots wide within the opening 30 minutes. Di Santo and Selke recorded the best opportunities for Bremen in the opening half.
Di Santo grabs the winner
HSV often lacked precision in their actions and have not managed a victory in Bremen since February 17th 2007. "Our defence has to be like a fortress," ordered Labbadia ahead of his comeback as HSV coach and his players complied, showing a largely solid performance at the back while waiting to launch quick attacks on the counter.
It was not a high quality encounter, but certainly intense. Both teams opened up slightly in the second half and deviated slightly from their tactical guidelines, looking for the decisive moment - which came in the 83rd minute when Hamburg's Behrami brought down Junuzovic in the area, with Di Santo converting the penalty.
Sané screamer not enough for Schalke
An incredible goal from Germany U19 star Leroy Sané was cancelled out by Kevin de Bruyne’s late strike, which meant that VfL Wolfsburg and FC Schalke 04 drew 1-1 on matchday 29 of the Bundesliga.
The hosts started without a typical striker - Bas Dost was benched and Nicklas Bendtner, who scored against Napoli on Thursday, was left out of the squad. World Cup winner André Schürrle was the lone striker. Dieter Hecking made four changes to the Wolfsburg side that lost in the Europa League on Thursday; Roberto Di Matteo handed a full debut to Marvin Friedrich.
VfL start strongly
The Wolves started the game on the front foot but the Schalke defence remained resolute, meaning chances were few and far between. Luiz Gustavo had a good chance to head the hosts in front after 30 minutes but he got too much power on his effort. Ivan Perisic and de Bruyne also had efforts to open the scoring but Ralf Fährmann was in great form between the sticks for Schalke.
Ricardo Rodriguez unleashed a thunderous effort just seconds into the second half. Fährmann was left clutching at thin air but was relieved to see the striker hit the bar and bounce to safety. The Royal Blues opened the scoring soon after. Leroy Sané picked up the ball inside his own half and strode through the VfL defence before firing an inch perfect shot past Diego Benaglio and into the back of the net.
Wolfsburg didn’t let this setback upset their rhythm but they still found it tough to beat Fährmann. De Bruyne and Schürrle could have levelled before the former swept home an elegant first time effort from the edge of the box with just 12 minutes to play. Josuha Guilavogui (90’+3) could have won the game for the hosts in injury time but his volley cleared the crossbar from close range.
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Hamburger SV lost the first game with Bruno Labbadia back on the sidelines as they continue head towards the first relegation in the club's history. HSV suffered their fifth straight defeat, losing 1-0 in Bremen in the 102nd edition of the "Northern Derby." With 25 points to their name, Hamburg remain the bottom side, trailing Hannover in 15th place by four points.
Bremen striker Franco Di Santo converted a late penalty, giving Bremen new hope as they are closing in on the Europa League qualifying places. Viktor Skripnik's men are now in seventh place, following their 500th Bundesliga home victory.
Labbadia made a surprise return to HSV on Wednesday, replacing Peter Knäbel. He opted for just two changes in the starting XI, as Slobodan Rajkovic replaced the suspended Johan Djourou and Zoltan Stieber started for the slightly injured Marcelo Diaz.
Skripnik reacted to Bremen's defeat in Stuttgart and deployed five new players in his starting XI – including keeper Koen Casteels and U20 international Davie Selke. The changes appeared to have desired effect, as Bremen took control of the game right from the start.
The first chances however when to the visitors, with Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Stieber both dragging shots wide within the opening 30 minutes. Di Santo and Selke recorded the best opportunities for Bremen in the opening half.
Di Santo grabs the winner
HSV often lacked precision in their actions and have not managed a victory in Bremen since February 17th 2007. "Our defence has to be like a fortress," ordered Labbadia ahead of his comeback as HSV coach and his players complied, showing a largely solid performance at the back while waiting to launch quick attacks on the counter.
It was not a high quality encounter, but certainly intense. Both teams opened up slightly in the second half and deviated slightly from their tactical guidelines, looking for the decisive moment - which came in the 83rd minute when Hamburg's Behrami brought down Junuzovic in the area, with Di Santo converting the penalty.
Sané screamer not enough for Schalke
An incredible goal from Germany U19 star Leroy Sané was cancelled out by Kevin de Bruyne’s late strike, which meant that VfL Wolfsburg and FC Schalke 04 drew 1-1 on matchday 29 of the Bundesliga.
The hosts started without a typical striker - Bas Dost was benched and Nicklas Bendtner, who scored against Napoli on Thursday, was left out of the squad. World Cup winner André Schürrle was the lone striker. Dieter Hecking made four changes to the Wolfsburg side that lost in the Europa League on Thursday; Roberto Di Matteo handed a full debut to Marvin Friedrich.
VfL start strongly
The Wolves started the game on the front foot but the Schalke defence remained resolute, meaning chances were few and far between. Luiz Gustavo had a good chance to head the hosts in front after 30 minutes but he got too much power on his effort. Ivan Perisic and de Bruyne also had efforts to open the scoring but Ralf Fährmann was in great form between the sticks for Schalke.
Ricardo Rodriguez unleashed a thunderous effort just seconds into the second half. Fährmann was left clutching at thin air but was relieved to see the striker hit the bar and bounce to safety. The Royal Blues opened the scoring soon after. Leroy Sané picked up the ball inside his own half and strode through the VfL defence before firing an inch perfect shot past Diego Benaglio and into the back of the net.
Wolfsburg didn’t let this setback upset their rhythm but they still found it tough to beat Fährmann. De Bruyne and Schürrle could have levelled before the former swept home an elegant first time effort from the edge of the box with just 12 minutes to play. Josuha Guilavogui (90’+3) could have won the game for the hosts in injury time but his volley cleared the crossbar from close range.
