Season

#HSVTSG awaits: squad update from the Volkspark

A new week of training ahead of the home match against TSG Hoffenheim got underway on Tuesday. Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit completed parts of the session with the team for the first time since his injury.

“We’ll bounce back,” said head coach Merlin Polzin after the 3-1 defeat in the Nordderby. With four matchdays remaining this season, Hamburger SV’s next undertaking is a Saturday night clash with Hoffenheim (25th April, 18:30pm CEST) at the Volksparkstadion. With that fixture firmly in their sights, the Rothosen returned to the training pitch on Tuesday afternoon.

Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit back in team training

After a joint warm-up, the squad moved into an intense small-sided game with three goals. The drill was full throttle throughout – sprints, challenges and plenty of finishing. That was followed by an 11-vs-11 practice match. In total, 23 outfield players and four goalkeepers took part in the hour-long session. Among them was Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit, who has returned to team training following the syndesmosis injury he suffered in the Hamburg derby at the end of January (0-0). After three months of hard graft working on his recovery, the 19-year-old winger is now closing in on a return to competitive action. As ever, the youngster trained with a smile, clearly loving every second of the session. Today’s training concluded with the squad gathering in a huddle to focus on the week ahead.

Miro Muheim, meanwhile, was absent after receiving confirmation of the extent of an ankle injury following Saturday’s match, which is expected to rule him out for the remainder of the season. “It’s extremely frustrating for Miro and for us. He’ll do everything he can to get back on the pitch as quickly as possible. In the best-case scenario, he might be available again right at the end. He also has the personal goal of making it to the World Cup,” said sporting director Claus Costa. “Of course, Miro is a fixture in the starting XI and a key player for us, but we’re focusing on the players who are available. We have full confidence in whoever steps in for him.”

Costa expressed the same sentiment regarding Luka Vušković, who spent Tuesday working on his recovery in the gym. “Of course, we’re missing Luka’s presence. Every team feels it when a top player or regular starter is out – it always makes a difference. But we’ve already shown, for example away in Mainz, that we can defend well without him and that others can take on responsibility. Our squad is strong enough for that, and our coaching staff have consistently found ways of solving problems like these.”

Away from the main group, captain Yussuf Poulsen, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Jean-Luc Dompé completed individual sessions with rehab coach Sebastian Capel. “When you speak to the injured players, you can sense a real desire to get back involved. Alex has battled his way back, which isn’t easy for a young player. Yussi is doing everything he can to help the team on and off the pitch. Sambi wasn’t ready in time for Bremen, unfortunately, but I’m an optimistic guy and I believe he can keep making progress, even if we can’t give an exact timeframe. Dompé has recently been dealing with a cold; we’re optimistic he’ll be back in team training soon. I’m convinced we’ll need every player before the end of the season,” Costa added.