AUDIO: Three games within one week: HSV has to score (1 min)
Bundesliga
As of: March 4, 2026 8:22 a.m
Wipe your mouth, carry on. That’s HSV’s motto after the 1:2 against RB Leipzig. Today Bayer Leverkusen comes to the Volksparkstadion for a catch-up game. But: Coach Merlin Polzin is plagued by personnel problems.
Miro Muheim received his fifth yellow card against Leipzig and is therefore suspended against Leverkusen today (8.30 p.m., in the NDR Livecenter). Also not there is Nicolas Capaldo, who suffered an abdominal muscle injury against RB. The Argentine may be out for several weeks.
Now the question for Polzin is who will he send onto the field as captain on Wednesday? Yussuf Poulsen, the regular captain, will probably only come in as a joker again for stress reasons.
Goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes and midfield engine Nicolai Remberg remain as top candidates. “One of the two will be the captain,” reveals Polzin. But nothing more. “I will communicate this with the team first.”
The pressure to succeed has increased
Before HSV deservedly lost to Leipzig on Sunday, it had been unbeaten in six games in a row and had built up a comfortable points cushion over the relegation zone. However, this lead is currently only four points over the 16th place in the table. Werder Bremen shrank.
The pressure is correspondingly great to score more points in the race to stay in the league. The Rothosen continue their English week against VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday (3:30 p.m.). It’s the third game within six days.
Complaining is not!
However, the high load should not be a reason for excuses. “We don’t want to complain or think about whether we have less power or are tired. I don’t want to hear that. Fatigue arises in the head,” emphasizes Polzin. “We are full of energy.”
“We must not lose sight of the truth.”
HSV coach Merlin Polzin
At the same time, Polzin also warns against having too high expectations against Leverkusen, who have not won in three games. “Bayer is the current runner-up, is among the best 16 teams in Europe, is in the cup semi-finals and won the double two years ago,” says the HSV coach.
And further: “We as HSV, despite all the demands we place on our own high standards, must not lose sight of the truth that we face teams that are not quite as bad.”
Possible lineups
HSV: This year Fernandes – Omari, L. Vuskovic, Elfadli – Gocholeishvili, Fabio Vieira, Remberg, Jatta – Königsdörffer, Downs, Otele
Bayer Leverkusen: Blaswich – Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba – Palacios, Aleix Garcia – Tape, Maza, Grimaldo, Poku – Schick
