Tough talk from Meffert after gut-wrenching cup exit - HSV's remarkable comeback falls short against Hertha BSC
The 2. Bundesliga side showed resilience and grit, only to be thwarted by a late equalizer and penalty slump
Tim Walter's men displayed a steely resolve in the cup round of 16 against Hertha BSC. Trailing 2:1, HSV pulled ahead with a goal from Ransford Königsdörffer, but were hit by a cruel 120th-minute equalizer from Hertha's Jonjoe Kenny. In the ensuing penalty shootout, HSV's misfortune continued, as they lost 6-8 and were thus denied the 1.7 million euro entry bonus for the quarter-finals.
Jonas Meffert couldn't hide his frustration: "I'm trying not to say anything stupid right now. This is nuts. I can't believe we didn't manage to win this game."
Meffert was lamenting the late equalizers, which he branded "unacceptable" for a side of HSV's caliber. "They got through on the wings twice? Once, I can understand. But not a second time. It was completely unnecessary, no matter what."
Hertha BSC's Fabian Reese, a constant menace on the right wing, had a hand in two goals and an assist, as well as the decisive penalty.
HSV captain Sebastian Schonlau praised his team's grit: "We gave it our all, no question about it. It's just a shame we didn't come out on top in the end."
The defeat marked the end of HSV's cup dream, with only three first-division teams still in the running. The 1.7 million euros in bonus money were also lost.
However, sporting director Jonas Boldt refused to wallow in self-pity: "These things happen. We played well, and Hertha still gave it their all. Mistakes happen, and goals like that can occur. It was definitely tough, but it was my first cup shootout defeat since joining HSV."
The cup dreams may be over, but HSV retain their promotion goal and will face Paderborn in their next match at Volkspark. Walter insists his team will not carry over any cup disappointment:
"Given the manner in which we played, we can't let cup frustration hinder us. We fought back against St. Pauli, and we pulled off another comeback and scored some breathtaking goals. We just need to give ourselves a little more credit for our performance. We're still on the right track, and we simply need to keep it up."
What are these patterns we keep seeing at HSV...?
Further Reading:
Behind the Scenes:
HSV has exhibited some consistent themes and faced specific challenges in their recent cup games, particularly against Hertha BSC. Let's take a closer look:
Strong Team Performance:
HSV's recent form has been impressive, with standout performances from key players like Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer and Davie Selke. This collective effort has helped them retain their top spot in the 2. Bundesliga.
Resilience and Adaptability:
HSV has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability in their matches. Despite early struggles with Hertha BSC's man-oriented pressing, the team managed to turn the tide and claim a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Counter-Attacking Strategy:
HSV has also demonstrated an effective counter-attacking strategy, capitalizing on quick transitions to secure crucial goals. This flexibility on the pitch has been a significant factor in their success.
However, there have also been challenges to overcome:
Defensive Vulnerabilities:
HSV has faced defensive vulnerabilities in their recent games, particularly in high-stakes matches. Hertha BSC managed to equalize and push for a win, highlighting the need for HSV to tighten up their defensive line.
Pressing and Controlling the TEMPO:
HSV has struggled with early pressing and maintaining a consistent tempo in some games, which has presented opportunities for opposing sides to counter-attack and score goals.
Overall, HSV's recent performances have been characterized by their resilience, adaptability, and counter-attacking prowess. However, they've also faced challenges related to defensive vulnerabilities and controlling the tempo of the game. With the promotion goal still within reach, Walter's team will be eager to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses in the coming matches.
