Hamburg celebrate more Miro Muheim magic and remarkable Bundesliga turnaround
Hamburg's extraordinary Bundesliga turnaround continued on Saturday afternoon as Miro Muheim scored another spectacular late winner to secure a 1-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart. The 28-year-old Swiss international produced his second consecutive match-winning strike from distance, helping Merlin Polzin's injury-hit side claim their third straight league victory after a disastrous opening to the season.
The remarkable run has transformed Hamburger SV's early-season fortunes. Having conceded twelve unanswered goals in their first three Bundesliga fixtures, the Hanseaten have now taken maximum points from their subsequent three matches.
The latest victory came despitethe absence of captain Nicolai Remberg, further midfield and attacking injuries, and substantial Stuttgart dominance. For the visitors, there was also an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu.
Hamburg haddefeated Stuttgart with another dramatic late winner at the Volksparkstadion last November. VfB head coach Sebastian Hoeneß made special reference to his side's last defeat away at the Hanseatic city-state club at the post-match press conference.
Miro Muheim delivers another moment of magic Stuttgart controlled large portions of Saturday's encounter. Sebastian Hoeneß's team enjoyed approximately 66 percent possession and outshot their hosts 24-14, yet failed to convert their superiority into goals.
Hamburg were not entirely without chances of their own. Yussuf Poulsen struck the crossbar shortly after halftime, while Fábio Vieira and Sebastiaan Bornauw threatened during the opening period.
The hosts nevertheless appeared increasingly content to preserve a goalless draw as the match approached its conclusion. Stuttgart continued to push forward, only to find themselves caught out by another piece of Muheim magic in the 88th minute.
Substitutes Albert Grønbaek and Zakaria El Ouahdi combined to advance the ball before the latter laid it off to Muheim. The Swiss international unleashed a thunderous left-footed effort from approximately 25 meters, sending the ball into the top corner.
Stuttgart head coach Hoeneß could scarcely believe that Muheim had produced another decisive strike. "We shouldn't have allowed the counter to develop," Stuttgart trainer Sebastian Hoeneß noted at the post-match press conference.