Poulsen’s maiden goal secures rollercoaster HSV win in Nordderby

The Bundesliga’s most-played fixture before Hamburg’s first-ever relegation returned to Volksparkstadion after an eight-year wait. HSV’s fans created an electric atmosphere, but it was Bremen who had the first chance of the game with Jens Stage’s long-range effort.

There were more speculative efforts from both sides inside the first ten minutes via Jean-Luc Dompé and Cameron Puertas. The first sign of the Nordderby tension was then displayed between Nicolás Capaldo and Marco Grüll.

In the 13th minute, Fabio Vieira, who scored the injury-time winner for ten-man HSV against Stuttgart last week, attempted the game’s first shot on target with a deflected effort. Bremen were on the wrong end of a late goal on matchday 12 against Köln.

The game started to come into life when Jordan Torunarigha celebrated a routine block like he had scored a late winner. At the midpoint of the half, Nordderby debutant Rayan Philippe missed to connect with Dompé’s excellent delivery from the right wing.

In general, the first-half lacked quality chances, but the ex-Arsenal midfielders Albert Sambi Lokonga and Vieira had two more opportunities for the hosts. The latter failed at his attempt of a scissor-kick right after Mio Backhaus’ routine save from Lokonga’s long-range shot.

However, the visitors went in front with their only real chance. Stage attempted another shot from range, but HSV’s defense was all over the place this time around. The Danish midfielder scored his fifth league goal of the season with a measured finish. While everyone was trying to avoid mistakes, Nicolás Capaldo’s risky pass proved costly for Hamburg.

The teams had to wait ten minutes before the second-half started as some fireworks from fans landed on the pitch. However, once the ball was rolling, it appeared to be a much better game than the first 45 minutes. HSV continued to fashion chances with Bakery Jatta coming the closest in his first Bundesliga appearance since 2018.

Daniel Heuer Fernandes made his first save of the game nearly at the hour mark when he parried Senne Lynen’s attempt from distance. Merlin Polzin then introduced Miro Muheim and Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer with his first couple of substitutions.

Three minutes later, HSV succeeded in finding the equalizer with Lokonga’s brilliant finish for his third goal of the season. Horst Steffen responded by introducing Justin Njinmah in place of Keke Topp, who was cautioned right before Bremen conceded the goal.

However, it was the hosts who netted the second right away with the best goal of the night. Luka Vušković scored from Vieira’s free-kick with the cheekiest of flicks. That will go down as one of the best goals in Nordderby history, but Njinmah was also successful in finding the net in his maiden experience.

Bremen’s equalizer was a well-worked goal, but that was not the end of the story. Yussuf Poulsen’s first touch of the ball ended up in the net as the Dane put the hosts in front once again after a brilliant play from fellow substitute Muheim in the 85th minute.

There was a lot of tension at the closing phase of the game, but the hosts managed to see out the result to create a special atmosphere at Volksparkstadion. Bremen are now only a single point ahead of Hamburg in the standings.

Fresh from their biggest win of the season, the newly-promoted side will end the year with games against Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt. Their Northern neighbours face Stuttgart and Augsburg before the Winterpause.