Davie Selke's double propels Hamburg past Kaiserslautern
Davie Selke scored twice and Fabio Baldé added an eye-catching third as Hamburg eased to a 3-0 victory over fellow promotion chasers Kaiserslautern.
Hamburg 3-0 Kaiserslautern
Goals: 1-0 Selke (42'), 2-0 Selke (65'), 3-0 Baldé (78')
The Volksparkstadion was buzzing with anticipation as Hamburg hosted Kaiserslautern in a top-of-the-table clash that promised to reshape the Bundesliga 2 standings. Both sides were aware of the significant implications for their promotion aspirations. Hamburg's head coach Merlin Polzin was absent due to illness, with assistant Loic Favé taking charge for this crucial fixture.
Selke breaks the deadlock
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating chances. Hamburg dominated possession, but Kaiserslautern looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Erik Wekesser had a golden opportunity for the visitors in the 38th minute, heading wide from close range. The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute when Selke showcased his predatory instincts. William Mikelbrencis delivered a pinpoint cross, and Selke expertly controlled the ball on his chest before slotting it past Julian Krahl to give Hamburg a 1-0 lead. The goal was a testament to Selke's form, marking his 15th of the season and putting him joint-top of the scoring charts.
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Hamburg assert dominance
The second half saw Hamburg assert their dominance, with Selke continuing to be a thorn in Kaiserslautern's side. In the 65th minute, Selke doubled Hamburg's lead with a clinical finish. Ludovit Reis provided the assist, threading a perfectly timed pass to Selke, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net. This goal, Selke's 16th of the campaign, further cemented his status as one of the league's premier marksmen. A VAR review for a potential offside was conducted, but the goal stood.
Baldé caps off triumphant return
The icing on the cake for Hamburg came in the 78th minute when substitute Baldé marked his return from injury with a goal. The 19-year-old, who had been sidelined since December, came off the bench to score his first Bundesliga 2 goal. Baldé's strike, assisted by Marco Richter, not only put the result beyond doubt but also highlighted Hamburg's squad depth and the impact of their substitutions.
Player of the Match: Davie Selke
Selke's outstanding performance was instrumental in Hamburg's victory. The striker's brace not only secured the three points but also demonstrated his importance to the team's promotion push. Selke's ability to find space in the box, his clinical finishing, and his work rate throughout the match made him the standout player. His goals came at crucial moments, breaking the deadlock before half-time and extending the lead in the second half, effectively putting the game out of Kaiserslautern's reach.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Hamburg 1.59 - Kaiserslautern 1.31
Fastest player: Daisuke Yokota (Kaiserslautern), 34.17 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 3-0 by Fabio Baldé (Hamburg), 2.61 percent
Most pressed player: Ludovit Reis (Hamburg), 23 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Jonas Meffert (Hamburg), +1.54
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