After nearly eight years: HSV back on top in the north! | OneFootball

HSV fans have had to endure a lot of mockery from supporters of FC St. Pauli and SV Werder Bremen in recent years. However, the tide is turning as their club is now impressing in the Bundesliga.

With the impressive 4-0 victory over Mainz 05, Hamburger SV has overtaken FC St. Pauli, who seemed further away than ever in their direct encounter on the second matchday, and Werder Bremen in the standings. For the first time since December 2017, the Rothosen are ahead of both northern rivals. Even when all three teams were in the 2. Bundesliga during the 2021/22 season, HSV couldn't claim the leading role on a single matchday.

Including Hannover 96 in the ranking, the Hanseatics could even call themselves the number one in the north as recently as August 2018, following the second Bundesliga matchday. These facts describe the tough times HSV has faced in recent years. After a seven-year absence, they finally returned to the top tier and, despite a challenging start, are now proving to be fully competitive.

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City Derby: HSV wants to avenge themselves in the return match

The 0-2 defeat against St. Pauli still weighs heavily. "Everyone knows, the club, with the fans and everything, is of course much, much bigger, but of course, you also want to be ahead of them in the standings. We are happy about that now," emphasized Jonas Meffert, who played in a total of six city duels in the 2. Bundesliga but did not feature in the most recent encounter.

He is aware that the current standings are just a snapshot. The picture could change as soon as the next matchday when HSV faces a tough away game in Leipzig, and Werder expects manageable tasks in Heidenheim and St. Pauli at home against Hoffenheim. Looking at the city rival, Meffert has already made it clear: "We are very eager for the return match. We have something to make up for."

Photo: Getty Images

Until then, HSV wants to continue advancing its positive development. "We are playing a new system, we have many new players. It was clear that everything would take a little time. I think we have gotten better step by step. It didn't happen super fast, but not too slowly either," said the always positive-thinking Meffert, who has yet to achieve a derby victory at Millerntor since his arrival in the summer of 2021.

Photo: Getty Images

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.