HSV celebrates derby hero Poulsen and a special energy

by Tobias Knaack

The marathon followed his goal and a sprint to the north stand. Everyone wanted to speak to Poulsen. The Dane gave one interview after another – and beamed. “My first goal, in the north derby, in front of the north curve – that’s all it takes,” said the HSV derby hero after his emotional 3-2 winning goal against Werder Bremen and joked: “I can end my career now.”

Of course, Poulsen won’t do that; the Dane still has a lot of plans for Hamburg this season. After difficult weeks, the 31-year-old simply enjoyed the triumph in the northern derby against his arch-rivals, which Poulsen made perfect with his goal in the 84th minute – just seconds after coming on as a substitute.

What an exchange of blows! HSV and Werder Bremen fought a memorable duel in the electrified Volksparkstadion, with the better end for Hamburg.

Poulsen’s debut goal against Werder of all places

The previously unlucky guy immediately became a hero with his debut goal. “We play football precisely for moments like today,” said Poulsen. In the summer, the attacker moved from RB Leipzig to the newly promoted team, and coach Merlin Polzin surprisingly made him captain straight away. But injuries kept slowing him down. So far, the Dane has only played 190 Bundesliga minutes this season – against Werder, of all places, he scored for the first time for HSV.

“That was certainly one of the hottest Bundesliga games I’ve experienced in my career.”

HSV captain Yussuf Poulsen

In one of the “games in which it’s about a little more than three points. Which are emotionally at the highest level. Where the stadium boils for 90 minutes. Where the fans accompany you to the stadium: as a footballer you always hope to experience something like that,” explained Poulsen and added: “That was certainly one of the hottest Bundesliga games that I have experienced in my career.” Especially since, in addition to the HSV fans, his little son was also cheering him on in the stands.

Despite the goal: HSV in the Poulsen dilemma

When it comes to dealing with their captain, HSV is now in a bit of a dilemma. Based on experience so far this season, relying on regular goals and appearances from the striker would be too risky. However, signing another attacker during the winter break would further reduce Poulsen’s prospects.

With regard to his susceptibility to injury, Poulsen repeated what he had said a few weeks ago: “I don’t go home and hit my leg with a hammer. It just happens. That’s part of the sport,” he said about his difficult first months in Hamburg. “Now I’m happy that I can be back on the pitch. It’s always about helping the team. And today I was able to help them.”

That was – and is – the plan for him in the Hanseatic city. The 31-year-old is by far the most experienced player in the squad with 86 international matches, two World Cups and two European Championships for Denmark. “His value to the team is very great as a leader with his experience,” said Polzin after the derby win. “In many moments in the locker room, in individual conversations, in group discussions, he contributed to why we are doing so well with 15 points.” And what does he say about the winning goal against Werder? “Only football writes moments like this!”

Vuskovic scores goal of the month

Luka Vuskovic was once again one of the stories that only football writes. The 18-year-old central defender – brother of Mario Vuskovic, who was banned for doping – had already scored HSV’s first goal since returning to the Bundesliga against Heidenheim. Now he scored with a so-called “scorpion kick”, he hit the ball behind his body with his heel, making it 2-1.

Heel, tip, 2:1 – Luka Vuskovic scores with a “scorpion kick”.

“The goal is certainly one of the best goals of my career so far,” he said after the game. “There was a bit of luck involved, but I’m glad I succeeded. I dedicated my goal celebration to my brother, who was also in the stadium today.”

Polzin praises the bond between the team and fans

It was the high point – also in terms of volume – of that afternoon, which was only surpassed by Poulsen’s decisive goal almost ten minutes later after the interim 2-2 by Hamburg-born Justin Njinmah.

“We have seen several times how much the team and the stadium can create an energy and play a power play that can lead to goals and successes.”

HSV coach Merlin Polzin

Late equalizer against Dortmund, late winning goal against Stuttgart, late turnaround against Werder: HSV has become something of a last-minute expert in recent weeks. Polzin emphasized the bond between the fans and the team. With the “energy from the stands,” his team turned the Volkspark into a real fortress: Hamburg won all four of their wins this season at home, plus the last-minute draw against Borussia Dortmund.

“We have seen several times in the last few weeks how much the team can create energy together with the stadium and play a power play that can lead to goals and successes,” said the 35-year-old. At the same time, it was also important that “our boys weren’t solely guided by emotions.”

Poulsen in front of Hoffenheim: “We are competitive”

Despite all the importance and the way in which the derby victory came about, captain Poulsen also broadened the focus again: “You can see that we are competitive in the league,” he said. Looking at the table with 13th place and 15 points makes him confident about what’s to come – before the short Christmas break, the away game in Hoffenheim on Saturday (3.30 p.m., in the NDR Livecenter) and the game against Eintracht Frankfurt a week later (also 3.30 p.m.): “In terms of feeling, we are now where we want to be. You definitely can’t complain about that.”

Especially not after his HSV debut goal to win the derby. The only downside this Sunday was that midfielder Nicolai Remberg picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the pack formation after the final whistle and will therefore miss the TSG game.

Results, table standings and match days at a glance.