The Hamburger SV football team showcased their prowess once again on March 8, 2025, delivering a commanding performance against Fortuna Düsseldorf, winning by 4-1 at the Volksparkstadion. This victory not only solidified their position at the pinnacle of the 2. Bundesliga but also marked another emphatic statement from the team under coach Merlin Polzin.
From the very beginning, it was clear the hosts were determined to set the tone. Miro Muheim opened the scoring spectacularly in the 7th minute, launching a powerful shot from nearly 30 meters at 111 km/h, which rocketed past the Düsseldorf goalkeeper, Florian Kastenmeier. The stadium erupted as the ball smashed against the back of the net, sealing Muheim's early contribution to the match.
Despite Hamburg's significant dominance, Fortuna Düsseldorf was not to be underestimated. Just 11 minutes after Muheim's opener, Dawid Kownacki struck back, equalizing for Düsseldorf with their first meaningful attack of the game. A brilliant chip pass by Moritz-Broni Kwarteng found Kownacki unmarked, allowing him to slide the ball past Hamburg's goalkeeper, Daniel Heuer Fernandes. The unexpected 1-1 scoreline brought some tension back to the since-dominant home team.
Nevertheless, Hamburg quickly regained their composure and continued to apply pressure. Shortly before half-time, Davie Selke powered the ball home from close range via a well-executed corner from Jean-Luc Dompé, restoring HSV's lead at 2-1. This marked Selke's 17th goal of the season, highlighting his remarkable season performance as he replaced the injured Robert Glatzel.
Selke's reaction encapsulated the team's spirit. "Das war ein sehr dominanter Auftritt heute. Wir haben es geschafft, dieses Level über einen sehr langen Zeitraum zu halten..." he said, expressing the sentiment shared by many of his teammates. The home crowd of 57,000 supporters was treated to the classic offensive display they had been longing for, especially following their previous loss to SC Paderborn.
The second half saw Hamburg maintain control, developing several clear opportunities, yet Düsseldorf's Kastenmeier showcased his skills with some exceptional saves against efforts from Ludovit Reis and William Mikelbrencis.
Yet, just past the hour mark, Adam Karabec secured the match for the home side with another well-timed strike from just outside the area. His shot took a lucky bounce off the post, deflecting off Kastenmeier's back and rolling over the line — officially marking it as the 3-1 advantage for Hamburg.
Despite the score, Düsseldorf had fleeting chances, with Jevgenijs Kušļikovs and Vincent Vermeij coming close, but failing to convert. Finally, Hamburg sealed the deal when Otto Stange, who had just entered the match, scored the fourth and final goal during injury time, concluding the game with flair.
Post-match, Coach Polzin praised his team's mature and controlled performance: "Wir haben einen sehr reifen und souveränen Auftritt hingelegt..." The players themselves echoed this sentiment, with Daniel Elfadli stating, "Wir sind sehr glücklich über den Sieg und darüber, dass wir das umsetzen konnten..." The collective feeling among the players and fans was one of solidarity and purpose, setting the stage for their upcoming matches.
This win secures Hamburg's position as the league leaders, pulling them seven points clear of their closest rivals, Düsseldorf, who have now slipped significantly behind the promotion race. Coach Daniel Thioune reflected on the game, acknowledging his team struggled to match the quality required against such potent opponents, stating, "Es war zu erkennen, dass meine Mannschaft nicht die Qualität auf den Platz gebracht hat..."
Looking forward, HSV's quest for the Bundesliga continues, with their next challenge against 1. FC Magdeburg on the horizon. Fans are hopeful, especially knowing Selke will be absent due to suspension from his fifth yellow card. Nevertheless, the team’s current form suggests they could face the future with confidence.
This match not only emphasized Hamburger SV's dominance at home but also demonstrated their ability to adapt and respond positively to past setbacks. If the rest of the season continues as strongly as this match suggested, HSV may find themselves returning to the top flight soon.