Team

The keeper of clean sheets

HSV have seen a marked improvement in their defensive stability with each game this season, with goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes keeping three clean sheets already – no other shot-stopper in the league has more.

With just seconds left to play in the home game against Hansa Rostock, HSV goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes took a deep breath and had to smile at what had just happened. Christian Kinsombi had taken a shot from a tight angle, forcing the goalkeeper to quickly save it with his foot – nearly putting it in his own net. Fortunately he didn’t, something that can be attributed to either luck, good training, or quite simply, talent.

Heuer Fernandes has worked hard, year in and year out, to get to where he is today. Together with goalkeeping coach Sven Höh and teammates Matheo Raab, Tom Mickel and Hannes Hermann, ‘Ferro’ always gives it his all in every training session. “We work as a team and push each other,” said HSV’s number 1.

Heuer Fernandes did not immediately become HSV’s first-choice goalkeeper after joining from SV Darmstadt, having to be the back-up to Julian Pollersbeck and Sven Ulreich in that time. The 2020/21 season was tough for the Portuguese ‘keeper, who was born in Germany, after featuring in just three games all season. However he never thought about giving up. “It’s incredible to see how hard he works in training, how much fun he has playing football and how that helps motivate the team,” HSV sporting director Jonas Boldt said in a previous interview with HSVlive, back when Heuer Fernandes was only the back-up option. “If you act and work the way that Daniel does, then you will someday be rewarded for it.”

Currently, Heuer Fernandes is putting in strong performances that have helped stabilise the backline. Not only has he been making key saves, but he has also helped to influence play across the pitch. “I give a lot of instructions and help the boys, so that we can be as solid as possible as a team,” he said at the start of the season.

His efforts are now paying off, with Heuer Fernandes most recently keeping a clean sheet in each of his last three matches, including in three of his five appearances this season. “First and foremost, it’s obviously about winning our games, but it’s also good for the defence and the goalkeeper to keep a lot of clean sheets,” said Heuer Fernandes. The shot-stopper is among the longest-serving players at the club, behind Tom Mickel and Bakery Jatta, and ranks as one of the top goalkeepers in the 2. Bundesliga – no surprise to those, who have seen him play.