Polzin: “We’re determined to create another special moment”

On Saturday (20th December, kick-off 15:30), the Volksparkstadion will host the final act of an emotional 2025 for HSV. The stadium has already provided plenty of unforgettable moments this year – from the long-awaited return to the Bundesliga sealed with a 6-1 win over Ulm on 10th May, to dramatic late goals during the current 2025/26 campaign. On matchday 15, the Rothosen now round off the year against Eintracht Frankfurt and want to secure three more points in front of a sold-out home crowd.

In Friday’s press conference, Merlin Polzin looked ahead to the game and explained how HSV can still cause an upset against the Champions League side from Frankfurt despite several players being unavailable. The Hamburg-born coach spoke in detail about…

…the squad situation: Unfortunately, the injury list has grown a bit longer. Warmed Omari, Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit and Robert Glatzel are all currently working their way back in individual training. Jean-Luc Dompé will definitely miss the game at the weekend, and we also picked up an injury to Yussuf Poulsen in training. He rolled his ankle and will be unavailable for a longer period, likely into January. We’re still waiting on the final diagnosis, but of course it’s tough for both him and for us. Fabio Vieira and Gui Ramos were also unable to train fully this week due to illness, so we’ll have to wait and see whether they’re options for the weekend.

…the opposition: Frankfurt deservedly qualified for the Champions League last season playing very attractive football. They have a squad full of former and current internationals and were competitive at Barcelona at the Camp Nou just a few days ago. We’re coming from a very different place. We know we’ll have to give more than 100% and can’t afford any lapses. Our opponents will bring top-level quality, regardless of who might be missing.

"We know how important our fans are – they’re there for us at the right moments." 

…home games at the Volksparkstadion: We know how important our fans are – they’re there for us at the right moments, such as when we concede or when we start badly, as well as when we’re attacking the Nordtribüne and the ball suddenly seems to be drawn towards the goal. However, we can’t just rely on their support at home – we have to deliver on the pitch as well. The energy flows from the pitch into the stands, and that’s something we want to happen again on Saturday. We’ve all seen the moments this stadium has produced already this season and we’re determined to experience another one.

…the first half of the season: During the promotion celebrations at the City Hall, I was able to say a few words. Back then, I said that the Bundesliga would see a different HSV to the one it had said goodbye to. I think we’ve shown that on the pitch. We’ve built and developed a team full of players who want to give their all for HSV and who can hold their own in the Bundesliga when they play to their best. When you look at the unity within the club, the togetherness of the fans and the way HSV presents itself as a whole, I’d put a tick next to that statement. At the same time, we know we still need points to achieve our goals and to ensure HSV are in the Bundesliga next season. I’m convinced that the longer we work together, the more this team – and the individual players – will continue to improve.