Bundesliga
Borussia Mönchengladbach and Hamburg played out a goalless draw as the visitors returned to the Bundesliga after seven years away, with a series of Daniel Heuer Fernandes saves completing a solid defensive showing.
Borussia Mönchengladbach 0-0 Hamburg
After 2,660 days away from Germany's top flight, Hamburg marked their long-awaited return with a spirited performance.
In a fitting twist of fate, their first match back came against the same opponent they faced in their last Bundesliga game before relegation in May 2018.
The visitors began with genuine purpose, looking to make an immediate statement on Matchday 1. Within the opening minutes, Giorgi Gocholeishvili and Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer both saw shots blocked as Hamburg dominated the early exchanges with high pressing and energy. Gladbach weathered this initial storm and gradually established control, with Haris Tabaković heading wide from a corner in the 16th minute.
The hosts' best chance of the first period came after 28 minutes when Franck Honorat volleyed straight at Heuer Fernandes following clever build-up play. Tabaković had two more headed opportunities before half-time, his 44th-minute effort from Robin Hack's delivery flying narrowly wide.
The second half followed a similar pattern as Gladbach enjoyed 56 percent possession overall but struggled to break down Hamburg's disciplined defence. Rocco Reitz emerged as the hosts' primary threat, twice testing Heuer Fernandes with strikes from distance. Hamburg coach Merlin Polzin introduced fresh attacking impetus in the 74th minute, bringing on Yussuf Poulsen and Jean-Luc Dompé, which helped the visitors gain a foothold further up the pitch.
The drama peaked in the 89th minute when substitute William Mikelbrencis thought he had headed Hamburg into a sensational lead, only for the goal to be correctly disallowed for offside. Gladbach then nearly snatched victory themselves when Kevin Diks headed wide from close range deep into stoppage time.
The Hamburg goalkeeper was the standout performer, making crucial interventions throughout the 90 minutes to preserve his clean sheet. He denied Honorat with an excellent save in the first half and twice thwarted Reitz after the break. His performance was vital in helping the Bundesliga returnees secure a valuable point, with the goalkeeper receiving 47 percent of the fan votes in the Man of the Match poll.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Mönchengladbach 1.29 - Hamburg 0.37
Fastest player: Rocco Reitz (Gladbach), 33.62 km/h
Most pressed player: Robin Hack (Gladbach), 24 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Lukas Ullrich (Gladbach), 3.83
Fantasy Heroes: Joe Scally (Gladbach, 245 Points), Miro Muheim (Hamburg, 265 Points), Jordan Torunarigha (Hamburg, 196 Points)