After the game, coach Tim Walter (47) walked happily through the catacombs of the Volkspark Stadium and said: “Only 13 left.” HSV is now just that many games away from returning to the first division.

With a four-point lead over third-placed 1. FC Heidenheim and six points over SC Paderborn, the big goal is within reach.

However, the Rothosen had to fight quite hard against Bielefeld. “We didn’t have enough depth in the early stages, but we still took the lead with a good individual performance,” explained Walter, alluding to Ludovit Reis’s (22) goal.

HSV
Sky breakdown overshadows HSV game against Bielefeld

This goal gave the team only limited security. Because Arminia came straight to the equalizer after the change of sides.

“We struggled in the second half,” admitted captain Sebastian Schonlau. “We were too inactive, didn’t use the space well and so Bielefeld gradually created chances.”

Nevertheless, the team showed morale immediately after conceding and had a great opportunity to take the lead quickly (53′) through Laszlo Benes (25) and Jonas David (22) with a double chance. A little later, Bakery Jatta got it under the bar with a bang (57th).

After that, however, HSV struggled again and found it difficult to use the space that was available. Instead, the Bielefeld team had chances again and again due to individual mistakes made by Hamburg.

“We then defended 2-1 rigorously and therefore deserved to win,” said Walter, who was satisfied, even though he complained: “We still played too statically today and didn’t show enough courage. We did that missed today.”

HSV
Outstanding Ludovit Reis leads HSV to victory over Arminia Bielefeld

In the end, the victory was not undeserved, but above all it was worth a lot. The competition in the promotion race was also unscathed. And so next Saturday (8:30 p.m.) SV Darmstadt 98 is waiting for HSV for the absolute top game of first versus second.