Season

Squad update before home game against Köln

Hamburger SV have begun their preparations for the Bundesliga game against 1. FC Köln, with Albert Grönbaek returning to team training.

Two days after the 2-1 away win at VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV were back out on the training ground on Tuesday. Following a busy week with three matches, the Rothosen now have a little more time to prepare for their next Bundesliga assignment – and it is a big one. On Saturday (14th March, 18:30 CET), HSV host 1. FC Köln in the league’s primetime clash at the Volksparkstadion. Under bright spring sunshine, Merlin Polzin’s side began their preparations on Tuesday afternoon (10th March). A good number of spectators – many taking advantage of the school holidays – watched on from the sidelines as the players were welcomed onto the pitch with applause.

A total of 25 players took part in the session, including four goalkeepers. There was positive news regarding winter signing Albert Grönbaek, who returned to full team training after being sidelined since mid-February with a tissue injury in his right thigh. “I’m pleased to see him back training with the team. He still needs a full week where he can train without any restrictions to his workload. Hopefully he’ll then be able to get involved again as soon as possible,” explained head coach Merlin Polzin.

Ransford Königsdörffer and William Mikelbrencis followed individual programmes as their workload was managed, while vice-captain Nicolas Capaldo, Bakery Jatta and Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit continue their rehabilitation work. Rössing-Lelesiit is currently working on his comeback on the underwater treadmill at the Athleticum.

“We started the week with analysis and our first session. We want to deliver a better performance than we did in our last home game. The focus is on the things we can influence ourselves – how we use the ball, but also the basics like energy and willingness. If we get those things right, the result will follow,” Polzin explained after the roughly hour-long training session, which mainly consisted of game-related drills. The reverse fixture in Cologne ended in a 4-1 defeat for HSV – a match that showed, as Polzin put it, “what a strong side Köln are.” The Rothosen therefore know exactly what to expect on Saturday. “We need a good week on the training ground if we want to put in a strong performance,” the head coach stressed. One session per day is scheduled between now and matchday.