Opposition Check: Hamburger SV

No other team is currently playing longer in the second division than HSV. The results of the past six seasons read like a long-lasting nightmare for Hamburg’s large fan base. The Rothosen had a long sniff of promotion to the Bundesliga in each of the years, finished fourth in the table four times and only failed in the play-off in the other two seasons. The last matchday of the 22/23 season was particularly dramatic, when the Hamburg team in Sandhausen almost felt like they were sure to be promoted, before two Heidenheim goals in injury time of the parallel game led to a bitter end and ultimately (after the following play-off defeat) another season in the second division ensued. HSV will welcome SV 98 next Sunday (08.12/1.30pm). It will be the eleventh meeting between the two teams in this league.

Between 2011 and 2013, Merlin Polzin wore the HSV diamond on his chest and coached from the sidelines. At that time, however, he was still a youth coach. It wasn’t until seven years later that the Bramfeld native took the step into the professional coaching team. In between, the now 34-year-old coached VfL Osnabrück for six years. Initially also in the youth sector, then from 2017 as assistant coach to Daniel Thioune with the professionals.

Together with Thioune, Polzin returned to his childhood club in 2020: “He couldn’t believe it and was completely freaked out,” said the current Düsseldorf coach about his assistant at the time and his reaction to the news of HSV’s commitment.

After Thioune, Polzin also assisted Tim Walter, Horst Hrubesch and most recently Steffen Baumgart. Since the latter’s dismissal, Polzin has been in primary responsibility and also coached the team in the 3-1 away win at KSC. It was his second assignment as a trainer; Polzin took on the role of interim coach on February 17th (2-2 against Rostock) this year. In Karlsruhe, the football teacher changed the system and started the game in a 4-3-3. The success helped HSV jump to second place and made Polzin want more: „I’m keen to continue being successful with the boys.“

The Lilies might have something against it.

Hamburger SV’s offensive. No other second division team has scored more goals (31) this season. Even in the air, no one can fool the sports club. Headwise, the Rothosen are also the most dangerous team in the 2nd Bundesliga. They nodded the ball into the net nine times. What is striking is that the two center forwards, Davie Selke and Robert Glatzel, scored the most goals in the team with seven goals. He was closely followed by Ransford Königsdörfer (6), who was also used more often in the attack center. The Lilies defense can expect some hard work.

The assist provider and two-time goalscorer last weekend: Jean-Luc Dompé. The 29-year-old played a big part in Polzin having a successful game on the sidelines. The Frenchman received a lot of attention in particular for his second goal, in which he sank the ball into the corner for a 2-1 lead. “The goal is top notch. I haven’t seen that so often in the second division,” said KSC coach Christian Eichner after the game.

Things haven’t always gone smoothly for the winger so far this season. Under Steffen Baumgart, Dompé was not always a good player, despite his undisputed offensive qualities. A muscle injury set the tricky attacker back at the start of the season, and Baumgart always saw room for improvement, especially in terms of consistency and defensive work. Nevertheless, Dompé has already scored five goals this season and is one of the team’s top assist providers with his three assists. Hamburg’s number seven should definitely give SV 98 the utmost attention at all times.