Predictably today coach Bernd Hollerbach was let go as a result. HSV U21 coach Christian Titz takes over for the remainder of the season, with support by former coach Thomas von Heesen.
No he wasn't injured, infact he was busy delivering assists with the second team with the same coach that is now at the helm of the first team. After the last coach change he simply didn't fit in the new coach's gameplan. Not that it lasted long
Its a official assist =). Ito was great today. He played often that spectaculary, but till now he didnt scored goals.
SOLD OUT! 👕After his impressive performance against Schalke, fans bought so many Ito #43 shirts that the club shop ran out! 😮But fear not, they'll be stocked again soon at https://t.co/8LtKBEEXPO 😉 #nurderHSV pic.twitter.com/sBxoh2uLs5— HSV English (@HSV_English) April 9, 2018 Tatsuya Ito's game by numbers vs. Schalke:100% tackles won67 touches9 take-ons attempted5 take-ons completed5 tackles3 key passes1 shotBlockbuster display. https://t.co/TvuxC1ffAN— Squawka (@Squawka) April 9, 2018
HSV keeps holding onto a tiny lifeline with a 1-0 win against Freiburg. 5 points behind safe ranks with 3 matches to go. Ito played 87 min, Sakai all match.
Ito basically destroying Wolfsburg alone today. Assist for the 2-0 with a nice cross, one minute before he had almost gained a PK (FK from barely out of the penalty box), and 2 minutes before he had sent Wood in front of the keeper... Oh did I mention that the first goal was a PK from a foul on Ito?
Ito is the darling of HSV - his jersey is the top selling one at the club store. The team has apparently learned to play football under the new manager Titz. Would be something if they got out of this pickle.
They are both starting in what looks-like a "great escape" match to avoid direct relegation: Mit dieser Elf starten wir gegen Gladbach. Unsere Start11 für #HSVBMG:Pollersbeck, Douglas, Holtby, Hunt, Ito, Jung, Kostic, Papadopoulos, Sakai, Steinmann und Wood.#nurderHSV pic.twitter.com/ktHNicZOwb— Hamburger SV (@HSV) May 12, 2018
crazy match anyway! Ito almost scores after a superb action, minutes later Sakai saves on the line literally throwing himself against the ball, and then Ito assists the second goal... he's been toying with Gladbach's defense the whole match.
After the match Sakai stated that he intends to extend his contract and help HSV get promoted again. He apparently did contract talks before the match but was undecided then, so the announcement was a surprise to everybody.