Bundesliga “an incredible feeling”
© Imago
After 2,660 days it was finally time: Hamburger SV gave its comeback in the Bundesliga on Sunday, with a 0-0 at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Among other things, left-back Miro Muheim, who has been playing for the red pants, has been part of the starting eleven since last year has been a Swiss international and now has two things in mind: relegation with his club and the World Cup participation with his country.
“It was an incredible feeling to finally play in the Bundesliga. We worked on it for a long time,” says Muheim when the transfer market hits him in the catacombs of the Volksparkstadion. The anticipation of the first game was “huge”. When Muheim was on vacation between the seasons, he realized the climb: “I thought more often: horny, you! We did it! We are now in the Bundesliga!”
The 27-year-old played a significant role in the ascent, since he was 13 templates and a hit on the way. It is most of the goal participations during his time in Hamburg. In this, with the exception of a few weeks at the beginning, he is an integral part of the left defense. That Muheim has taken “good development”, as he himself says, he owes his 129 missions for the red pants. “This gave a certain clarity,” he says.
Muheim is one of the most valuable players at HSV, as not only his work on the pitch, but also underpinned his market value. This doubled to 4 million euros last season and is outbid by only three teammates. When Muheim failed for several weeks in the final phase in the final phase, he was given the “Hope Barrel” seal. The “SRF” later described him as “indispensable team support and promotion hero”. For Muheim it is nice to read that, “but I don’t want an individual to be highlighted”. He pushes: “The team is the promotion hero and all the people around them who have worked. Everyone has their share in the promotion, everyone has worked together to achieve this goal. Of course, this also includes our great fans.”
Miro Muheim thinks that about the upheaval in the HSV squad
Born in Zurich, he also has its place in the Bundesliga in the starting eleven, contrary to some fellow promoters. For example, Jonas Meffert or Robert Glatzel have started their long -term regulars for the time being, and deserves players like Ludovit Reis, Sebastian Schonlau or Davie Selke left the club – for various reasons. “It is not easy if teammates and good friends leave the club. But that’s how it is in football, there are always changes. It is simply part of the fact that you cannot play all the career with the same boys. We have developed the feeling of cohesion over the years, but that will be found again, because we have great boys and we are on the right track,” says Muheim about the squad break this summer, in this summer, in this summer, in this summer. Nine new ones were brought for EUR 7.2 million and twelve players were sold for 8.5 million euros. The squad value increased by about a third from 52 million to 68 million euros.
Muheim has long been traded as a candidate for the captain’s office over the summer, it took a replacement for Schonlau, which was without perspective. Ultimately, newcomer Yussuf Poulsen was equipped with the bandage, deputy is the newly signed Nicolás Capaldo and Meffert. “You don’t need the bandage to be a leader. We have more leaders than just the captain and his two deputies,” emphasizes Muheim, whom many fans would have liked to be in the office. “I take responsibility, get myself fully and help the other boys on and off the square. For me it makes no big difference, whether with or without a captain’s armband,” he says. Muheim is part of the so-called “Leadership group”, which sits together every week and discusses all the topics of the team.
Something has changed not only at the squad, but also in the way of playing. The Hamburgers relocated their focus from the offensive on the defensive, the chain of four was replaced by a triple or five-fighter chain. “It is a change when the system is adapted, but it feels good. We have worked the whole preparation on it, the team is getting safer. It gets even better, the more we train together,” says Muheim, who does not put the left-back, but the left shining, but also the left shiny player. “It is demanding, but I have a lot of fun. I have a lot of freedom, especially when it comes to building up my position. Sometimes I stand on the outside, sometimes I stand inside. Depending on how the opponent starts and where the rooms are. It suits me.
This is how HSV professional Miro Muheim wants to make it to the 2026 World Cup
Before the start in Mönchengladbach, the HSV played a preparation with five defeats and a goal difference of 2:14. In addition, the cup game in Pirmasens almost became an embarrassment, one goal just before the end and another in the extension ensured that the fifth club. The promotion euphoria seemed abbot before starting the league, but the HSV, as coach Merlin Polzin emphasized after the 1st matchday, was “definitely ready for the adventure Bundesliga”.
There was a lot of applause from the traveling fans for the first point win. That there should probably be fewer victories in the first division than in recent years in the second division, Muheim does not want to think about it: “If you think too much about it, it has a negative touch. I prefer to concentrate on positive thoughts. I try to win and take one game after another.” The next highlight is waiting with the city derby against FC St. Pauli on Friday (8:30 p.m.).
“We definitely want to stay in the league,” says Muheim this season. At a personal level there is another one, namely participation in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Muheim has been a Swiss international since November, and so far he was running three times with the Confederates. “I am very proud of it! It is an indescribable feeling to be able to represent your own country. An honor. You play football for that. And then I also celebrated my debut against Spain, the European champion! It was really incredible when I was there for the first time. I like to remember back on my lips with a big grin. “Of course I have the World Cup in my head. It’s only a year left and I plan to be there. I have to show good performances at the HSV and, if I should be back at the national team, prove why I should be taken with me.”
Interview and text: Pascal Martin (P_Martin)