Interview

Nicolas Capaldo: “We’ve improved and made good progress”

Six months on from his move to Hamburger SV, Nicolas Capaldo has clearly settled in well. In an interview with HSV.de, the vice captain reflects on the first half of the season and his new role in defence, while also looking back on the postponed match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

HSV.de: Capi, when and how was the team informed that the match had been called off?

Nicolas Capaldo: We were at the hotel, sitting down for a meal, when we were told the game had been postponed. Of course, we didn’t expect that, but in the end safety always comes first. It’s most frustrating for the fans. I was a fan myself as a kid and in Argentina I sometimes travelled 600 kilometres for a game.

How did the postponement affect you personally?

Because of the game, we were eating dinner around 5pm, which isn’t typical for me as an Argentinian. So my girlfriend and I ended up having dinner again later on. (laughs)

How easy is it to switch focus to the next game against Borussia Mönchengladbach?

We have to accept the situation as it is. Our full focus is now on the match against Gladbach.

If it goes ahead, how big is the anticipation for the first home game of 2026?

We’re really looking forward to seeing the fans again. We’ve picked up most of our points at home, so home games are very important for us. We’ll do everything we can to take all three points again.

The first half of the season would normally be over by now, even though one game is still outstanding. What’s your assessment so far?

I think there were a few matches where we dropped points that could have left us higher up the table. We had a tough start to the season because it was a new challenge for everyone. But we’ve improved and made good progress.

What was your highlight of the first half of the season?

Without doubt the home derby win against Werder Bremen. The atmosphere, the joy of the people – it was simply outstanding.

HSV have picked up 14 of their 16 points at home at the Volksparkstadion. How do you explain that?

It’s something special every time. If you look at our home games, we always have energy right to the end. The fans help us enormously because they support us at all times. That also sends a message to the other teams. A lot of big sides have come here and found it difficult – for example, we beat VfB Stuttgart and gave Borussia Dortmund a tough time as well.

Why has it been so difficult to collect points away from home so far, and how can that improve in the second half of the season?

That’s hard to explain, and there certainly isn’t just one reason. A lot of small things didn’t go our way. The red card and the penalty against us in the same incident in Freiburg sum it up. In the end, we simply didn’t take enough points away from home, and that’s something we have to work on. If we manage that, the second half of the season can be a good one for us.

The goal this season is, of course, to stay up, and HSV have built up a small cushion over the relegation zone. How do you see the situation at the bottom of the table?

I’m convinced we can put more distance between ourselves and the relegation zone if we continue performing the way we have so far. In most games, we’ve been at least on a par with the opposition. Sometimes we were just missing that little bit, but in Freiburg, for example. we fought right to the end. That kind of approach gives me a good feeling.

Around the time of your move to HSV, you described yourself as a Bundesliga expert. How has that prior knowledge helped you, and what’s your overall impression of the league?

I already knew a few names, and it was funny playing against them. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world, where every team is hard to beat. You know that every weekend brings a real battle. The competition here is really strong, and it will be interesting to see how the table looks at the end of the season.

How have you settled in after six months at HSV and in Hamburg?

I’m very happy and I really like the club. Whether it’s the stadium, the infrastructure or the atmosphere – HSV are a big club on several levels. Those were some of the reasons why I moved here. Hamburg is also a beautiful city, although I am struggling with the weather at the moment – I’m more of a summer-and-sun person. (laughs) My girlfriend and I are often in the city centre or at the Isemarkt.

Who in the squad do you get on particularly well with?

With Fadli and Miro. We do a lot together. Both of them want to learn Spanish, but they’re not quite there yet. (laughs) Because of the language, I naturally get on well with Gui and Fabio too. I was also close to Daniel Peretz, and I wish him all the best in Southampton.

Although you’re naturally a midfielder, you’ve been playing in defence since matchday 6 following Warmed Omari’s serious injury. How do you feel about that initially unfamiliar role now?

It was a new experience for me because I’d never played in that position before. But the team can always count on me, wherever I’m needed. It helped a lot that the coaching staff showed confidence in me. The 4-0 win against Mainz in my first game also played its part. That gave me belief to keep going in defence, and over time I felt more and more comfortable.

You’ve worn the captain’s armband several times as deputy to Yussuf Poulsen. What does that mean to you?

It’s an honour to wear the armband and to lead the team. It comes with a lot of responsibility. But it’s not about one individual – we have our leadership group that wants to drive the rest of the team forward. We support each other.

Finally, what are your personal goals for 2026?

We have to try to win as much as we can. That’s why I hope we can maintain the winning mentality within the team.