First-leg win over HSV

Perfect start

VfB enjoyed the ideal start and took the lead after just 44 seconds with their ninth touch of the ball when Konstantinos Mavropanos headed in a Borna Sosa corner. Sebastian Hoeneß’ side remained on the front foot, with Chris Führich denied by a Daniel Heuer Fernandes save in the ninth minute of a fast-paced game in which both teams quickly got forward at every opportunity. VfB went close to making it 2-0 but Serhou Guirassy was twice thwarted by an inspired Heuer Fernandes, first in a one-on-one (23’) before the goalkeeper kept out his penalty (27’), while Führich was also frustrated by the HSV custodian moments later (29’). HSV grew stronger just before half-time but Jean-Luc Dompé could only fire wide with his shot (38’), before VfB had another chance to extend their lead only for Mavropanos to head wide (45’+1).

Quickfire salvo

Hoeneß’ charges resumed control of the game in the second period and after Josha Vagnoman headed over (46’), the defender got his name on the scoresheet just five minutes later when he finished off from Enzo Millot’s pass (51’). The boys from Cannstatt kept their foot on the gas and further extended their advantage moments later when Guirassy headed in another Sosa corner (54’), causing the Mercedes-Benz Arena to erupt. Hamburg pushed forward as they tried to muster a response but suffered another setback in the 69^th minute when Anssi Suhonen was shown a red card. The tempo of the game subsequently dropped off, although a Tiago Tomás shot whistled narrowly wide of the target in the 82^nd minute. Mavropanos went close again (90’+1) but there were to be no further goals as VfB recorded a 3-0 win to take an important step towards survival ahead of Monday’s return leg.

Goals:

1st minute (1-0): Sosa’s corner finds Mavropanos, who heads into the far corner.

51st minute (2-0): Führich threads a brilliant pass through to  Millot, who squares for Vagnoman to tap in from close range!

55th  minute (3-0): Guirassy gets his goal with a header from a corner!

Reaction:

Sebastian Hoeneß, VfB head coach: “We started the game really well and went 1-0 up. That helped us take the shackles off. We could’ve been leading by an even higher margin at half-time, but we began the second period well too. The goals helped us build on our momentum. It was very important for us to keep a clean sheet. We need to produce another good performance in Hamburg on Monday. We need to remain sharp and focused.”