A spirited comeback from Hamburger SV saw unlikely hero Johan Djourou score the winner against VfB Stuttgart two minutes from time, as HSV recorded their first points of the Bundesliga season.
Daniel Ginczek opened his Bundesliga account for Stuttgart this season midway through the first half after latching onto a pass from Daniel Didavi, before firing his effort past the stricken Rene Adler.
The arrival of Emir Spahić to Hamburg seemed a good addition at the time, considering die Rothosen conceded 50 goals last season, but it was the Bosnian international who was at fault for the opening goal – after the 35-year-old went to ground too early following Didavi’s inch-perfect pass.
Stuttgart’s lead lasted just 10 minutes when Ivo Iličević found the net for the first time this season, beating last season’s tally where he failed to net in the league. A long ball from Djourou was met by poor defending from Stuttgart, allowing the Croatian to slot the ball past Przemysław Tytoń.
Hamburg’s failure to learn from their mistakes last season could well cost them this season, as a loss in concentration at the back allowed Ginczek to score his second of the game, taking the ball down on his chest before rounding Adler and scoring into an empty net.
The equaliser finally came six minutes from time for Hamburg. Ivica Olic' deflected shot found its way to Lasogga who unmarked at the far post, had the easiest goal he's going to score all season.
Lasogga made a claim for a starting position for next weekends game against 1. FC Köln as his goal and assist clinched three points for Hamburg in the closing stages.
Labbadia and Zorniger name same starting XI's
Alexander Zorniger named the same starting XI that put in an impressive attacking performance against 1. FC Köln, despite losing 1-3 on the opening day of the season. Meanwhile, Bruno Labbadia named the same starting lineup as the one that conceded five against champions Bayern Munich. Gedion Jung was awarded his second start in Hamburg colours after being the only bright spark in what would have been a demoralising defeat.
Iličević almost made amends for his poor performance against Bayern with a goal in the opening two minutes after his effort found the side netting.
Lewis Holtby and Didavi looked lively for Hamburg and Stuttgart respectively, but it was Jung who forced Tytoń into making the first save of the afternoon.
Off-season signing Sven Schipplock almost opened the scoring for the hosts inside the opening 15 minutes, but despite getting ahead of his marker, the 26-year-old was unable to generate any power on his header, which saw Tytoń collect with ease.
Stuttgart went pressing for the opening goal when Filip Kostic picked the ball up inside the Hamburg half. The Serbian international drove forward, winning a corner which resulted in Christian Gentner meeting the ball with a free header, forcing Adler down low.
It's a case of same old for Hamburger SV?
Despite the hosts dominating, it was Stuttgart who took the lead midway through the first half via Ginczek, who scored his ninth goal in 11 games and his first league goal for the season with the help of Didavi.
Iličević scored the equaliser for HSV as they looked to get back in the game, but it was Ginczek who dealt Hamburg yet another blow at the back following a lapse in concentration as Spahic and Matthias Ostrzolek failed to master the offside line, which saw Labbadia’s side head into the break a goal behind.
VfB Stuttgart start the brighter side
Didavi almost heaped more misery on Hamburg as his free-kick from 35-yards was struck sweetly which had Adler scrambling to his left in the opening stages of the second half.
Zorniger was dealt a blow with 35 minutes left to play when Florian Klein was shown a second yellow card, just a minute after his first for a late tackle on Ostrzolek, which resulted to Labbadia switching to 4-4-2, bringing on 23-year-old Lasogga.
Spahic was spared his blushes yet again moments later as Günter Perl waved away Martin Harnik’s penalty appeal after a cruyff-turn, to the anguish of Zorniger.
Timo Baumgartl shows why he’s worthy of a contract extension at Stuttgart after his last ditch clearance meant the visitors held on to their lead for just a little longer, as Zorniger seemed content on playing defensively following the departure of Klein.
Delight for the home fans, finally
Labbadia brought on Olic and Nicolai Müller in a bid for an equaliser, and persistance finally paid off for Hamburg when a shot from Olic came deflected off the back of a Stuttgart defender, finding Lasogga at the back post who had the easiest of goals, scoring from two-yards out.
The captain, Djourou showed grit and determination to score the winner for Hamburg two minutes from time. Lasogga was at the heart of the goal again, cushioning his header to the Switzerland international, who calmly slotted the ball past Tytoń.
A trip to 1. FC Köln is up next for Hamburger SV as they look to get momentum going in the Bundesliga, something they've lacked in the previous two seasons.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart will look to make amends as they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the Mercedes-Benz Arena on week three of the Bundesliga.