Hamburg were inconsistent throughout the 2015/16 season, but were delighted to avoid another skirmish with relegation. - © © gettyimages / Stuart Franklin
Hamburg were inconsistent throughout the 2015/16 season, but were delighted to avoid another skirmish with relegation. - © © gettyimages / Stuart Franklin

Season Review 2015/16: Hamburger SV

xwhatsappmailcopy-link

For a club the size of Hamburger SV, a mid-table finish would ordinarily be considered a disappointment, but given their trouble in recent years they were more than happy to end the 2015/16 season in tenth.

Season in a nutshell

Having only escaped relegation the previous two seasons via the play-offs, Hamburg's only aim this term was to have a more stress-free campaign. Coach Bruno Labbadia's men achieved that for the most part, and were only in the relegation zone after Matchday 1's defeat to FC Bayern München.

Top three games

MD31: Hamburger SV 2-1 SV Werder Bremen

A sold-out stadium for a Friday-night floodlight game against northern rivals Bremen; the stage was set for a memorable encounter and it did not disappoint. Two goals from striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga gave HSV a 2-1 victory, helping them take a huge step towards safety.

MD13: Hamburger SV 3-1 Borussia Dortmund

This was an especially emotionally-charged game as it took place just days after the terror attacks in Paris and Germany's cancelled friendly against the Netherlands in Hanover.

MD6: FC Ingolstadt 04 0-1 Hamburger SV

A Michael Gregoritsch free-kick shortly before the final whistle gave HSV a victory away to promoted outfit Ingolstadt, lifting the side to sixth in the table - their best placing during the entire campaign.

MVP

After scoring just once during a difficult first season at the club, Nicolai Müller showed his true colours during his second campaign with the Red Shorts. The attacking midfielder made 29 Bundesliga appearances in 2015/16, contributing nine goals and five assists, and forging a dangerous partnership up front with Lasogga.