"An absolute cracker": HSV coach Polzin shows respect for BVB | OneFootball

He made the dream come true. After seven years in the lower league, Merlin Polzin led Hamburger SV back to the Bundesliga in 2025. Many more well-known coaches failed at the task that the now 35-year-old football coach accomplished.

The chances for the Hanseatic team to remain in the top German league next season are not bad. Eight rounds before the end, HSV has a six-point lead over the relegation spot 16. On Saturday (March 21, 6:30 PM), however, the Red Shorts face the immensely difficult task at Borussia Dortmund.

"We are facing a Dortmund team that has already collected more points than in the entire previous season," Polzin praised the opponent at the press conference before the match. "They have only lost two games, and that was against Bayern," the native Hamburger recalls the strong record of BVB. In the most recent 34 Bundesliga matches across seasons, the Black and Yellows have only been defeated by the record champions from Säbener Street.

"One of the greatest challenges"

"We know that this is an absolute tough task," Polzin acknowledges Dortmund's strength—especially in front of their home crowd. Yet his team is "maximally motivated to deliver a good performance," Polzin announces. "We have conducted a good analysis and want to occupy certain spaces better and make better decisions, especially in transition play after gaining possession. That would have been possible in recent weeks as well."

In Signal Iduna Park, Polzin wants to build on HSV's strong away performances in recent weeks. In the second half of the season, the Hanseatic team remains unbeaten on foreign soil (2 wins, 2 draws). "On Saturday, it will be one of the greatest challenges to prevail in this stadium and in front of this crowd," the head coach of Hamburg looks ahead. "The fascination with Borussia Dortmund goes far beyond the region. We are extremely excited to be able to perform there."

Photo: IMAGO / Justus Stegemann

Even though it will be "damn challenging," as Polzin suspects, the goal is to "keep the game open as long as possible." For this, he has "worked out a plan." Even in Dortmund, defense work takes priority. "When you're a promoted team, it's about defending your own goal well," Polzin demands utmost concentration from his team at BVB as well.

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