Season

Freezing temperatures, full focus – squad update ahead of Heidenheim trip

Hamburger SV began preparations for their Bundesliga match away at Heidenheim on Tuesday (3rd February). Two new signings and a returning player were involved, while captain Yussuf Poulsen completed a full session with the squad.

Despite freezing conditions in Hamburg, HSV’s players were quickly back up to speed. Matchday 21 brings an important fixture, with HSV travelling to last-placed 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday (7th February, 15:30 CET). A win, which would be their first away victory of the season, would allow HSV to pull clear of a direct rival in the table and continue their climb up the standings. With that in mind, head coach Merlin Polzin and his staff brought the squad together on Tuesday (3rd February) for the start of a new week of training.

New signings and captain Poulsen in focu

Despite windchill temperatures of around minus 13 degrees Celsius, 24 outfield players and four goalkeepers were out on the training pitch next to the Volksparkstadion three days after the 2-2 draw against FC Bayern. Among them were new signings Philip Otele and Albert Grönbaek, who joined HSV towards the end of the transfer window. There was also positive news regarding captain Yussuf Poulsen, who completed a full training session with the team for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in mid-December. A return to action for the 31-year-old Dane is edging closer. Another familiar face was also back in full training: Otto Stange, whose loan spell at SV Elversberg was ended early, completed the full programme.

Damion Downs, Fabio Balde and Jean-Luc Dompe trained individually away from the group with rehab coach Sebastian Capel, while Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nicolas Capaldo worked in the gym. Capaldo will miss the match in Heidenheim due to suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card. Meanwhile, injured winger Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit (syndesmosis ligament tear) will complete parts of his rehabilitation in his native Norway over the coming days.

On the pitch, the focus was primarily on tactical work, including a game-based drill using six small goals. HSV have one training session scheduled each day before Saturday’s trip to Heidenheim, where they will be aiming to take three points in conditions that are expected to be only just above freezing.