Despite going a goal down, Hamburg replied quickly before half time to make it 1-1, before a last-minute equaliser from Norwegian international Havard Nielsen gained Greuther Furth a point. Dieter Hecking’s side set up in a 4-3-3 with Jatta and Samperio providing the width. They stayed in a mid-block out of possession with a 4-1-4-1 remaining compact and covering two thirds of the pitch at all times to reduce the space. Hamburg when they couldn’t counter with pace looked for their overlapping full backs to deliver, through Leibold especially adding to his assists tally for the first goal. Pohjanpalo was busy in the area, staying high and working the channels effectively. The equaliser coming from a goalmouth scramble to give Nielsen his second of the game but still moved Hamburg into second place.
Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Josha Vagnoman
Player profile:
- Nationality: German
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 11/12/2000
- Current Club: Hamburg SV
- Career: Hamburg SV
- Position: Right Back
- Secondary Position: Centre Back
- Preferred Foot: Right
Vagnoman played on the right side of the defence for Hamburg. With a tall muscular build, he wasn’t the most technical with his feet often looking uncomfortable when forced onto his weaker left foot. What he did show was his powerful runs which allowed him to overlap and deliver low crosses into dangerous areas. He linked well with Samperio in the first half and Jatta in the second half, always playing on different lines often looking to play passes in field in between lines.
He defended narrowly and showed his opponent the space in the wide areas to then press with intensity. Often he would defend the space in between himself and the near centre back before pressing his opponent if numbers wide were even. He kept his shape well, working side to side and the opponent found his height and jump difficult to deal with when Hamburg targeted him as their way out of the press.
He showed good pace for a player of his size and okay acceleration, making easy passes but at times he failed to look forward and often forced back too easily. He showed a clear weapon with a powerful throw as well as marking well tightly from set pieces. He was substituted in the 77th minute from what looked like a calf problem.
Rating – B1
Adrian Fein
Player profile:
- Nationality: German
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 18/3/1999
- Current Club: Hamburg SV
- Career: Bayern Munich, Jahn Regensburg (L), Hamburg SV (L)
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Secondary Position: Centre Midfield
- Preferred Foot: Right
Fein played as the defensive midfielder sitting in the middle of a three-man midfield for Hamburg. With a tall thin build, he sat as the deepest of the three, often looking to receive from both centre backs. He was composed on the ball and showed a good range of passing to find players in wide areas early as well as find teammates in higher positions in between lines. He held his position and didn’t look to rotate up field instead he was always in a secure position to deal with a potential counterattack.
He looked forward often, always wanted to be positive with the ball, not looking to retain possession for possession sake. Showed intelligence with his positioning to encourage space in front of his centre backs for them to break lines with a dribble. He was a strong scanner, aware of his surroundings and thinking two passes ahead being seen to organise his side to play out often. Maintained the tempo for his side, often playing off two touches to move the opponent and create gaps.
He didn’t get into a sprint, instead relying on his intelligence and positioning to intercept. He wasn’t competitive shoulder to shoulder and knocked off the ball a few times from the side. Started deep for set pieces, often making late runs.
Rating – A2
Bakery Jatta
Player profile:
- Nationality: Gambian
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 6/6/1998
- Current Club: Hamburg SV
- Career: Hamburg SV II, Hamburg SV
- Position: Left Winger
- Secondary Position: Right Winger
- Preferred Foot: Right
Jatta played on the left wing in the first half and the right wing in the second half for Hamburg. With a tall muscular build, he showed good pace and acceleration on the left side looking to cut inside to shoot on goal. His ball control could have been cleaner especially from the air, often having to make a second touch around an opponent to retain the ball, but he did well when he got the ball down to attack space. He kept his width well to create space inside for him to attack while also allowing Leibold to overlap which he used well.
He recovered well defensively, tracking his opponent well to prevent crosses from wide areas, but did show lapses in concentration higher up the pitch which resulted in him relying on his pace to recover. He defended his zone from set pieces well, often at the near post with a good strong leap and header which got distance. Pressed with a good intensity throughout and demonstrated a good attitude to continue a strong press late into the game.
He could play off both feet if he had to and showed his ability on his weaker foot with a strong effort from outside the area which went close. Also showed crossing ability with low driven crosses picking the correct decision well on a number of occasions.
Rating – B1
Louis Beyer
Player profile:
- Nationality: German
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 19/5/2000
- Current Club: Hamburg SV
- Career: Fortuna Dusseldorf, Borussia Monchengladbach, Hamburg SV (L)
- Position: Centre Back
- Secondary Position: Right Back
- Preferred Foot: Right
Beyer played at right centre back for Hamburg, before moving to right back after an injury to Vagnoman. With a slim build, Beyer showed a strong leap in the air with a strong upper body to overpower his opponent. His passing was safe and often he looked to retain the ball through Fein. He looked to break lines through dribbling and looked comfortable to do so under pressure.
He defended the area well often remaining central, but he was happy to support Vagnoman in the wide areas given his knowledge also playing right back. He split early to create space inside and didn’t rush his decisions, instead scanning showing good intelligence.
He was aggressive when going forward, looking to get on the end of set-pieces with a good leap as mentioned for his height. His 1v1 defending was controlled and measured, often looking to show wide but in the air he was too eager and gave away a number of fouls. Stuck to his job well for set pieces, tightly marking against a difficult opponent in Nielsen.
Rating – B2
Target Scouting 