Season

Training for Mainz begins - squad news from the Volkspark

Monday saw the Rothosen begin their preparations for this weekend’s away game in Mainz on Friday (20th February). 23 players took part in Monday’s session. Luka Vušković did not take part, as he has returned home to Croatia for a short break.

Things are moving quickly for the Rothosen after the 3-2 win over 1. FC Union Berlin at the weekend, with Merlin Polzin’s side now preparing for their trip to face 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Friday evening (20:30 CET). HSV will play the first game of a Bundesliga matchday for the third time this season, having done so previously in both games against St. Pauli. Such a schedule means there is less time to prepare. Therefore, the Rothosen will have one training session per day in the run-up to the match. The first session took place on Monday in sub-zero temperatures.

Balde back in full training, Vušković given a break

A total of 23 players, including four goalkeepers, were out on the training pitch on Monday. There was positive news regarding Fabio Baldé, who returned to full training. The 20-year-old academy product last featured in the derby against St. Pauli at the end of January and had been sidelined since with a knock. Warmed Omari completed parts of the session after missing last Saturday’s match. Damion Downs missed Monday’s session due to illness. Luka Vušković will also be absent for the trip to Mainz. HSV’s number 44 is suspended for Friday’s match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season and, following a joint decision, is spending two days off in his native Croatia. “Luka has played every game for us and has also been constantly away with the national team during international breaks, sometimes representing different age groups,” explained Merlin Polzin during a media round. “It was important to us that he gets this break now – he’s earned it. We’ll benefit even more if he can clear his head for a couple of days. He’ll return tomorrow evening and will travel with us as we head to Mainz. He asked to join us there because he wants to be part of it, no matter what. That’s another very good sign.”

Against the 05ers, the HSV head coach will therefore have to compensate for the absence of his 18-year-old defensive stalwart on the pitch. How will he solve his problem? “With whoever comes into the side, I’m sure,” said the Hamburg native, adding: “Daniel Efadli is not unfamiliar with the position – he played there at the start of the season. Warmed Omari, who was again able to be involved in more parts of training today and is looking good for Friday, could also be an option. We haven’t made a final decision yet and will wait to see how things go over this week of training.”

Meanwhile, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Albert Grönbaek and Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit continue their respective roads to recovery. The latter recently completed the first part of his rehabilitation in his native Norway and has now returned to Hamburg. Following a joint warm-up, the team began with a passing drill that included finishing into small goals before moving into various game-based exercises. Preparations are well underway - and the trip to Mainz is fast approaching.