The HSV starts the hot season phase in the narrow race for the promotion of Bundesliga. In the guest performance at the 1st FC Nürnberg, the Hamburg second division wants to take the next important step on Saturday. The chances of returning to the football upper house have never been so good.
This time it should finally work
One was always certain of the HSV and its supporters in the past seven years in spring: the malice of other fans. The North Germans were regularly in a promising position for a return to the first division, regularly played this opportunity. So the former Bundesliga became the second division dino.
But this should finally end for the Merlin Polzin team at the end of this season – and the chances of it are better than ever before the guest appearance at the Franconia (1 p.m., in the NDR LIVENCENTER) according to the NDR data analysis.
Offensive power and stability under polezin
The strong offensive speaks for the rise of the HSV. With 2.15 goals per game, the Hamburgers put the best attack in the league, which is mainly due to the strong performance of Davie Selke and Ransford Königsdörffer, who represented the long -injured striker Robert Glatzel.
In the team and in cooperation, it is simply true what another value shows: With an Expected goal value of 1.88 per game, the HSV regularly generates top-class final options. This shows that the gates do not fall by chance, but are prepared by planned, high -quality attacks.
It clearly shows the handwriting of trainer Polzin. In addition to the offensive force, the HSV has also found defensive stability. The Hamburgers are defensively under the direction of their 34 -year -old coach, close the center better and prevent effective switchover situations of the opponent – an elementary difference to predecessor Steffen Baumgart.
The HSV game became controlled, tactically precise, defensive, more stable and mature after the current coach of Union Berlin was released. Polzin gave the team a clear tactical scaffolding – and thus placed the struggle for promotion on a solid foundation.
Probability of promotion is 80 percent
And according to the calculations of Global Soccer Network (GSN), this foundation will carry this time: According to the previous 27 match days, the direct likelihood of the HSV is 80 percent. Participation in the relegation, which of course wants to avoid the second in the table, is 13 percent likely. Numbers that will give HSV fans hope for the end of the season in the second division.
“I would be very happy if we had a really special moment in summer.”
– Merlin Polzin
What does Polzin say about ascent? Not much on Thursday as usual. He avoided – but without blocking: “In each of the seven remaining games, we will do everything to make it work in the end,” said the trainer and added: “I would be very happy if we had a really special moment in summer.”
Mallorca provides free heads
In order not to make the pressure on his players too big, to concentrate on the essentials and not to fail again on the high expectations, Polzin had prescribed a short training camp in Mallorca from Sunday to Wednesday.
Four days focus on the big goal, but also four days in which the players should get their heads free. As a assistant coach, the young coach has noticed again and again in recent years how his heart’s club failed due to the expectations of how the pressure paralyzed and the HSV missed the ascent.
Despite a good atmosphere under Mallorcan sun, there was also a bad news: Jonas Meffert suffered a broken nose in the short training camp and had to leave prematurely. It is unlikely to use the “club” for him.
“We have to watch every day,” said Polzin. Selke and Jean-Luc Dompé are also stricken, which should appear on Saturday.
Polzin: “must be freezing cold”
The HSV coach has great respect in front of the opponent. When he thinks about the encounter with FCN coach Miroslav Klose, he will “almost be awesome. How many special moments he and me gave us and me is something very special. I am very happy to meet him on Saturday.”
“Miro” does it very well, said Polzin about his colleague and DFB record goal scorer Klose. Nuremberg can handle the ball well, is dangerous on the offensive and manages to pull the opponent apart.
“You are a top team when it comes to the second half of the season and extremely home,” said Polzin, who demands from his players: “We have to be freezing cold.” Also so that everyone who carries the diamond in the heart has something to celebrate in summer.
Possible lists:
Nuremberg: Reichert – Drexler, Gruber, Karafiat – Janisch, Jander, Yilmaz – Justvan, Lubach – Anteste, Tzimas
HSV: Heuer Fernandes – Mikelbrencis, Elfadli, Schonlau, Muheim – Reis – Karabec, Richter – Sahiti, Selke, Dompé
This topic in the program:
Hamburg Journal | 03.04.2025 | 7:30 p.m.
