Frank Arnesen’s one-game spell as head coach of Hamburger SV ended with a 100% win record as his side recorded a 2-1 victory in Freiburg this afternoon.
The home side made an attacking start in the opening 10 minutes of the game, but went behind against the run of play in the 12th minute.
A 30-yard free kick from Mladen Petric struck the top of the crossbar before being put behind for a HSV corner kick. The visitors took full advantage as Son Heung-Min headed home from close range.
Papiss Cisse missed from 7 yards midway through the first half as the home side went in search for an equaliser. The ball took time to come down for the Senegalese striker who half volley wide as he stretched.
Jaroslav Drobny denied Cisse on the half hour mark after the Freiburg striker sent an effort that was on course to loop over the HSV goalkeeper. Seconds later, Cedric Makiadi’s diving header was straight towards the Czech who was able to push away.
Marcus Sorg’s side came pouring out in the initial moments of the second half as they looked to get back on level terms. And they were aided by some poor defending that saw a cross ball go all the way through to Papiss Demba Cisse outside the six yard box who didn’t miss less than 2 minutes into the restart.
At this point SC Freiburg were on top of the game. Cisse and Makiadi both wasted chances either side of the hour as the visitors defence were all over the place.
Midway through the second half Frank Arnesen handed a debut to summer signing Ivo Ilicevic. It took the former Kaiserslautern playmaker less than 7 minutes to make an impact. Ilicevic played a one-two with Gökhan Töre inside the penalty area and blasted home from 6 yards.
Hamburg’s attempts to throw away the lead for a second time were no worse than in the 80th minute when Jeffrey Bruma sliced a clearance inside his own penalty area and then tugged down Stefan Reisinger to concede a penalty.
Papiss Demba Cisse stepped up but blazed the penalty well wide. Cisse never saw sight of the goal again but team mate Makiani had a good chance 5 minutes from time but sliced wildly from 10 yards out.
Frank Arnesen leaves his head coach role with a 100% win record joint on points with both FC Augsburg and SC Freiburg at the bottom of the lead. Thorsten Fink takes charge tomorrow.
Fink’s first game as Hamburger SV head coach is Saturday’s evening game next weekend at home to VfL Wolfsburg. Next Saturday, Freiburg travel to Kaiserslautern.
