Back on the pitch today: Vuskovic creates a special HSV moment | OneFootball

Many HSV fans had waited years for this moment. This Tuesday, Mario Vuskovic will return to team training for the first time since his doping ban.

After 1,404 days, the Croatian is once again part of a team session — a special day for the club, its supporters, and of course for the defender himself. At 3 p.m., Vuskovic will be on the pitch at the Volksparkstadion together with his teammates. The fact that the public session has been moved to the stadium underlines the significance of the occasion. The North Stand will be open to spectators, and a fairly large crowd is expected.

Even so, HSV deliberately does not want the focus to rest solely on the 24-year-old. Although Vuskovic has been allowed to train with the team again since today, his four-year ban remains in effect until November 15. Accordingly, clear restrictions still apply. Neither friendly matches nor marketing appointments are currently an option for him. Autograph sessions and media appearances are therefore also off the table.

Photo: Getty Images

HSV officials have great respect for Vuskovic

Even so, head coach Merlin Polzin knows exactly how emotional this day is for his player. “He is making a very good impression and can hardly wait any longer,” the HSV coach revealed recently. Vuskovic would be “full of fire,” which is why they would have to “hold him back a little” in the coming weeks. At the same time, Polzin emphasized the “outstanding” solidarity within the club and the Vuskovic family over the past few years.

HSV’s new board member for sport, Kathleen Krüger, also said she was impressed by the way the defender had handled his difficult situation. “What I kept reminding myself of was the achievement of Mario as a person,” she recently explained in an interview with FAZ. Vuskovic had been unable to live out his dream for a long time and still never gave up. He had “built up tremendous resilience” and kept himself fit despite all the setbacks. For that, she said, she has the “utmost respect.”

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