Team
25.01.17
One position – three candidates
After Albin Ekdal’s sending off and suspension, HSV coach Markus Gisdol has been forced to reshuffle his team in front of the back four where he has always played two men. Problem is that no less than three men are desperate to play in that position and Gisdol has a tough decision to make.
The games that HSV played during the first half of the 2016/17 had one thing in common: Two men in front of the back four, regardless of whether the coach was Bruno Labbadia or his successor – current coach Markus Gisdol. Due to injury and suspension, six men have occupied the coveted spot in the team. The man with most appearances in that spot is utility man Matthias Ostrzolek with seven games, although he is actually a full back. The 26 year old told us: “It is a little curious but I feel at home there. Playing there is completely different, you have less room to operate in and you get more pressure. It feels much more intense playing there.” Because of the suspension handed to Ekdal, Ostrzolek will partner someone else in the impending game at home to Ingolstadt on Saturday afternoon. It will be interesting to see who Gisdol picks.
Sakai, Jung…
It is possible that Rothosen skipper Gotoku Sakai will move there from right back. Should that happen, Dennis Diekmeier could start at right back. Sakai and Ostrzolek have lined up there on seven occasions, keeping a clean sheet on five occasions. Using that combination, the Rothosen have collected 8 points (2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat).
Another man in the running is Gideon Jung. The 22 year old picked up an ankle injury at the training camp in Dubai. He resumed first team training this week and could be used by Gisdol in a like for like swap having played in front of the back line 6times – the same as Albin Ekdal and Lewis Holtby. Before the injury Jung played nine consecutive games – seven of them in defensive midfield. Standing 1,89 m tall, his aerial prowess could be a factor against Ingolstadt. He has yet to play alongside Ostrzolek, which is not a problem for „Matze“. He revealed: “I don’t really mind who plays alongside me. Team success is top priority.”
… or Janjicic
18 year old Vasilije Janjicic is also an alternative. The Swiss midfielder with Serbian roots joined HSV from Swiss top flight side FC Zurich in 2016, where he trained with the reserves at first before Gisdol called him up to the first team squad at the end of last year. He has been eligible to play first team football since receiving permission to do so at the start of the new year and made the squad for the first time in Wolfsburg last time out. Gisdol recently stated: “I think he is ready for the Bundesliga.” Ostrzolek says: “We have played together in training so I see no problem should he be selected. I have assumed a lot of responsibility in this position and I am sure I can work well alongside an 18 year old debutant.”