Augsburg bounced back from Rafael van der Vaart's goal on the stroke of half-time, to turn on the style in the second period. Halil Altintop, Raul Bobadilla and Paul Verhaegh struck within twenty second-half minutes to seal a fully deserved win for the hosts; well-and-truly catapulting them into the European mix.
After an impressive 0-1 away win in Stuttgart last weekend, which resulted in Armin Veh's resignation, Augsburg were flying high in sixth place. Team work is key to Markus Weinzierl's plan and tactics at the club, so it was no surprise when he made just one change. Sascha Mölders was dropped to the bench, as the slowly improving Tim Matavz regained a starting place.
As for Hamburg, they were ecstatic after winning the Nordderby by two goals to nil on Sunday. It was a massive boost to everyone around the club, as they climbed out of the relegation zone. Josef Zinnbauer still made plenty of alterations, as Dennis Diekmeier, Lewis Holtby and Pierre-Michel Lassoga didn't make the starting eleven. They were replaced by Ashton Götz, Ronny Marcos and Artjoms Rudnevs, respectively, as HSV began the search for a third win in five.
The game started brightly for both, with Rafael van der Vaart and Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker testing the respective opposition goalkeepers. Although there was one negative from the opening quarter of an hour; unfortunately for Augsburg, they were forced into an early substitution. Tim Matavz' return to the starting line-up last a mere twelve minutes, as he hobbled off with a foot injury and was replaced by Nikola Djurdjic.
It was a game of few chances, with the play being broken up regularly with fouls. Although set-pieces seemed to be proving fruitful for both, though Raul Bobadilla's costless-kick was well saved by Jaroslav Drobny. The Argentine was able to get the ball up and over the wall, but Drobny was swift and dealt with the threat well. The physical nature of the game continued and it was taking its toll on both parties. Heiko Westermann felt the force of two hefty challenges, before he too had to be taken off. The Brazilian, Cleber, was his replacement, a massive blow to Zinnbauer and his men.
The game seemed to be heading towards a stalemate at half-time, though HSV had other ideas in the final minute. A wonderfully worked move allowed Rafael van der Vaart to smash home the opening goal. Mohamed Gouaida found Rudnevs, before the Latvian laid the ball off to the advancing play-maker. Van der Vaart set himself and picked out the bottom corner, as he netted his second goal of the season.
Though Augsburg didn't take long to level things after the break. Tobias Werner's costless-kick was headed towards Halil Altintop by substitute Djurdjic. It was messy, as he clashed with Drobny, but it fell perfectly for the Turkish midfielder and he slapped the ball in from four yards out. A deserved equaliser, as neither side had done enough to be in front after a lacklustre first-half.
The goal really knocked the wind out of HSV's sails and were inviting the home side to attack, without any outlet of pressure. The continual effort and sheer hard-work paid off, as Raul Bobadilla knocked in their second goal of the game. Werner was involved again, when he slipped in Abdul Rahman Baba down the left-hand side. The Ghanian has been a marvelous acquisition for Augsburg and he duly delivered another pin-point cross for the forward to slide in and tap home.
Hamburg had capitulated and were struggling to make any headway going forwards. They were equally as poor in defence, as Augsburg and the troublesome Bobadilla earned themselves a penalty. The Argentine was clipped by Ashton Götz, though it was a fifty-fifty challenge, Dr. Jochen Drees was adamant it was a penalty. Captain Paul Verhaegh stepped up and, as per usual, converted. The Dutch full-back sent Drobny the wrong way and Augsburg into a comfortable lead.
Lasogga's introduction did force Verhaegh into a goal-line clearance, but Hamburg were incredibly poor going forward and struggled to make their possession count. Augsburg held out with relative ease to move up to the lofty heights of fourth place. They'll be confident of taking another three points against FC Köln next weekend, who were beaten by a four goal margin at Bayer Leverkusen. HSV will welcome Mainz to the Imtech Arena on Sunday; they slip down to seventeenth and could end up bottom if Borussia Dortmund get a point in Frankfurt.