Interview

Poulsen: “I’ve rarely experienced anything like it”

From magic moments at the Volkspark, to the aura of a historic club and a reunion with his former team RB Leipzig – HSV captain Yussuf Poulsen gave us an emotional insight into his mind.

Yussuf Poulsen took time out to take a walk with us round the Volksparkstadion, during which he spoke at length about his winner in the derby against Werder Bremen, the strong development within the squad this season, his injury setbacks, being captain and working with a young set of coaching staff. The 31-year-old also explained his fascination with the Volksparkstadion from a player’s perspective and told us why HSV’s fan culture is something unique.

HSV.de: Yussi, after the 1-1 draw in Mainz, you were asked about the special nature of the upcoming home match against your former club RB Leipzig and said: “Every game at the Volkspark is special.” Why exactly? What makes the Volkspark so fascinating?

Yussuf Poulsen: We’ve had some incredible experiences at the Volksparkstadion. The atmosphere and the energy here are special. It’s unique in Germany. I’ve rarely experienced anything like it in my career.

What does it feel like as a player to be in such a setting – especially in moments like your winning goal in the derby, when the stadium erupts?

It’s hard to explain because you only feel that kind of emotion in football. Nowhere else in life. In that moment, you don’t feel anything but happiness. It’s pure euphoria.

To what extent does adrenaline become addictive as a footballer?

The Volksparkstadion is so special because those adrenaline rushes come from the stands during the game. That surge doesn’t just come when you score a goal. It happens again and again throughout the match, especially in heated games.

You’ve played over 550 games in professional football. Which stadiums come close to the Volksparkstadion in terms of atmosphere?

Not many! I played in Istanbul against Beşiktaş once – that’s definitely on the same level. There was also a special atmosphere at Wembley when I played against England. Obviously, Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano was heated after they beat my Leipzig side 2-1 in the final minute. Something like that just sets a stadium alight.

You’ve earned the majority of your points at home this season. How important has home advantage been in your first season back in the Bundesliga?

It’s very important to feel like you can beat anyone at home – especially as a newly promoted side. It makes a big difference when you know there are a lot of points to be earned in those 17 home matches. We’ve taken five points from Bayern, Dortmund, and Stuttgart, who are among the best teams in Germany. That says a lot.

HSV is a huge, historic club with enormous appeal. How does that come across in everyday life?

It’s different when you move around the city. Hamburg is much bigger than Leipzig, so naturally there are more fans. You can feel how special it is to be a HSV supporter. What fascinates me most is that fans greet each other with “Nur der HSV” (“Only HSV”) and with such conviction. I find that very special. You immediately identify with the club.

You’ve experienced a lot in your career. Does being at such a huge club still surprise you?

I came here three times as an opponent before I joined HSV and I remember it being heated. It still surprised me to have that atmosphere behind you when playing for the home team. I already knew HSV from that perspective, because I used to visit my good friend Christian Nørgaard when he played here.

After your move, you were immediately appointed captain, becoming the 32nd HSV captain since the Bundesliga was founded. What does that mean to you personally?

It’s an honor to be captain of a club like HSV. I see it as recognition from the coach and the club that, as a new signing, I was entrusted with the role right away. It makes me very proud, even though I initially told Merlin that I personally thought someone who had experienced HSV’s journey and promotion should wear the armband. I can feel the joy of the promotion season, even though I didn’t experience it myself. The fact that Merlin stuck with his idea and the team accepted it is special. It shows his leadership that, after weighing up all the information, he makes his own decisions.

Unfortunately, your time at HSV has been marked by injuries. How much has that affected you?

Of course, it has really annoyed me. I try not to let it affect me too much, as the brain controls a lot within the body, and negative thoughts can slow the whole process down. So I try and keep positive. I would have liked to play more, but whenever I was available, I did everything I could to help the team succeed. I’ll keep doing just that.

You’ve already played six games of the second half of the season and are one of only two unbeaten teams alongside Dortmund in that timeframe. Compared to the start of the season, that’s huge progress. How do you see that?

We’re a lot better than we were at the start of the season and have developed well. In my opinion, not enough is said about how mentally strong we’ve become. We’ve built a self-confidence where before every match we know we’ll put in a good performance. I actually think that’s our biggest step forward. The quality was there at the beginning of the season, but that self-belief wasn’t.

What’s it like working with Merlin Polzin and his very young coaching staff?

It’s a very good and harmonious coaching team, which actually isn’t all that common (laughs). They’re very competent, but they’re still very young, which means they have made mistakes and will make more in the future. They learn from them, though, and that’s what matters most to improve. The coaching staff play a big part in our stability, especially considering that many players are new and the playing style has changed. It’s not an easy job.

It’s noticeable how much you coach on the pitch and how you look out for every teammate. Be honest – is there a hidden coach in there somewhere?

Maybe (laughs). I’m sure I’d enjoy it, but I don’t think I’ll go down that path. You have to sacrifice a lot as a coach – I already do that as a footballer. To commit to that again and lose out on even more time with my family and my kids is something I can’t see myself doing. Who knows, maybe it’ll be different once the kids move out (laughs). Right now, I just try and share what I see – as a coach, it can be difficult to keep track of all eleven players as well as the game itself all at once. I just want to help us keep progressing and picking up points.

Recent signings like Fabio Vieira and Luka Vušković have become key players. You see them every day. What sets them apart?

Fabio is always in a good mood and has incredible quality. I’ve never played with someone like him. His flow with the ball is completely different from what I’ve seen before. In a way, Fabio is unique. He always tries to create something when he has the ball, without rushing, and he almost always makes the right decision.

With Luka, what stands out is his mentality and how hardworking he is. He also has a mature attitude when looking at what he needs to do to improve and perform at the highest level every week. I’ve rarely seen that level of maturity in an 18-year-old, and I’ve played with some very talented young players who later became very successful. Mentally, they weren’t as far along as Luka is now.

Do you sometimes marvel at Luka’s maturity, especially when you compare it to your own debut at 17 in Denmark’s top division?

Absolutely. It took until my early 20s before I understood how to live as a professional. Before then, I was just happy to be on the way to becoming one. I was more surprised that it might actually all work out (laughs). I was so far from Luka’s level back then.

We’ve already mentioned how every game at the Volksparkstadion is special, but this weekend will be even more special for you. How does it feel to be going into a second game against RB Leipzig?

Generally speaking, the second time is never as special as the first. I think it will be easier this time to focus on HSV and not on seeing my old teammates again.

In the reverse fixture, the Leipzig fans held up a display for you. What did that mean to you?

That’s the greatest appreciation a player can receive. Many players would surely wish to have left such a positive impression at a club to be bid farewell in that way. There are loads of players who have had great careers but haven’t experienced what I did in Leipzig in the first half of the season.

Have you been in contact with your old teammates this week, and how unusual is it to go up against long-time friends like Willi Orban in a competitive environment?

I talk with some of them more often as the game approaches. It’s a unique situation, in that we’re good friends off the pitch, but when we step onto the pitch and the whistle blows, friendships are put on hold, and the focus turns to winning. That’s how it was last time and that’s how it will be this time. I’ve also had battles with Willi and others elsewhere, like before I joined Leipzig and in international games.

You’re unbeaten in six games and Leipzig are one of the best teams in the league. What will be crucial on Sunday evening?

I always say you have to want it more than your opponent. If we want it more, we’ll win.