Hamburg injuries clear as Merlin Polzin targets fourth consecutive Bundesliga victory

Hamburg injuries clear as Merlin Polzin targets fourth consecutive Bundesliga victory Hamburg head coach Merlin Polzin has received a welcome personnel boost ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga trip to SC Paderborn. Patson Daka, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Bakery Jatta are all available again after recovering from their respective injury problems. The returning trio provide the 35-year-old with additional options as Hamburger SV attempt to secure a fourth consecutive Bundesliga victory. Speaking at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Polzin confirmed that the three players had participated extensively in training during the week, with some completing full sessions. Captain Nicolai Remberg and the suspended Mario Vuskovic remain unavailable, but the coach was otherwise pleased with his squad’s improving fitness situation. The welcome developments nevertheless present Polzin with something of a selection dilemma. Following HSV’s dramatic 1-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart last weekend , the Hanseaten have now won three consecutive Bundesliga matches for the first time in 16 years. “For us, this is an outstanding situation to be in,” Polzin said on Thursday. “We have players who are performing, delivering results, and helping the team succeed. Competition for places does something to a team.” The coach emphasized that his returning players must earn their opportunities through their performances in training. He also praised the contributions of his substitutes, who have repeatedly influenced matches during HSV’s recent winning streak. “Everyone is eager and making it very difficult for me to decide who will start,” Polzin said. Hamburg’s remarkable resurgence follows disastrous Bundesliga start HSV’s improving fortunes represent a remarkable reversal from the opening weeks of the campaign. Polzin’s team lost their first three Bundesliga fixtures without scoring a goal, conceding 12 times in defeats against Borussia Dortmund, Mainz 05, and RB Leipzig. Despite the disastrous start, Hamburg’s leadership reaffirmed its faith in Polzin by extending the contracts of the entire coaching staff . The decision came immediately before the fourth matchday, when HSV finally secured their first victory of the season against 1. FC Köln . A dramatic 3-2 comeback victory away at Hoffenheim followed, before Swiss international Miro Muheim struck another spectacular late winner against Stuttgart. The improvement has nevertheless come at a significant personnel cost. Remberg sustained a serious knee injury during the Hoffenheim encounter , subsequently underwent surgery for a torn ACL, and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His absence, combined with Sambi Lokonga’s muscular problems, forced Polzin to reconsider his midfield arrangements. Polzin’s tactical adjustments and Muheim’s resurgence The HSV coach has repeatedly emphasized the importance of tactical flexibility, having already altered his team’s approach several times since assuming responsibility in November 2024. Polzin initially sought to introduce a more progressive possession-based game during the summer, but HSV’s dreadful start prompted a renewed emphasis on defensive stability and compactness. The effects have been striking. Hamburg averaged only slightly more than 37 percent possession across their recent three-match winning streak, including just 34 percent against Stuttgart. The personnel adjustments have been equally important. With Remberg and Sambi Lokonga unavailable, Polzin deployed Martin Adeline, Bilal Nadir, and Muheim in an unfamiliar central midfield configuration against Stuttgart. Muheim’s emergence has been particularly significant. The 28-year-old began the campaign struggling to reclaim his customary position on the left flank following injury problems and increased competition from David Møller Wolfe and Louis Lemke. The Swiss international nevertheless embraced his new central role and has now scored decisive goals in consecutive Bundesliga victories. His remarkable turnaround has become emblematic of HSV’s collective recovery . Polzin has also been particularly encouraged by the impact of his substitutes. Against Stuttgart, Albert Grønbæk and Zakaria El Ouahdi entered the match in the 78th minute and combined to create Muheim’s late winner. The coach believes opponents are beginning to recognize the threat HSV pose during the closing stages of matches. “When the opposing team knows that HSV steps things up towards the end of a match, that’s of incredible value,” Polzin explained. More options available ahead of Paderborn trip The returns of Daka, Sambi Lokonga, and Jatta could provide another boost, although Polzin has given no indication that all three will immediately return to the starting XI. Sambi Lokonga offers a potential solution to HSV’s midfield absences, while Daka and Jatta increase the coach’s attacking options. Saturday’s opponents Paderborn have collected just five points from their opening six Bundesliga fixtures. GGFN  |  Peter Weis