Capaldo set to miss out: how HSV could fill the gap! | OneFootball

In recent days, Nicolas Capaldo has noticeably slowed down. The HSV might have to do without the Argentine during their away game in Cologne.

When HSV triumphed 1-0 against 1. FC Heidenheim on Tuesday evening and celebrated their entry into the DFB-Pokal round of 16, Nicolas Capaldo watched from a distance. The reason: the summer newcomer is currently suffering from calf problems and only trained in the gym on Thursday.

It's particularly unfortunate because Capaldo has been playing in a position in recent weeks where HSV has been struggling with injury issues. The Argentine has been covering for Warmed Omari in the last three Bundesliga games as the right center-back in the three-man defense.

Head coach Merlin Polzin is hopeful that the 27-year-old will be ready to play on Sunday (3:30 PM, DAZN) against 1. FC Köln. The prerequisite is a full training session on Saturday. “I hope everyone can fully participate again,” the promotion coach explained at the press conference on Friday afternoon. However, if the midfielder ultimately has to sit out, Polzin faces a second change in the defensive center.

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HSV: Two Candidates for Capaldo's Position

The most obvious option would be to use Jordan Torunarigha, who already replaced Capaldo in Heidenheim. However, a somewhat more surprising solution is also conceivable according to the Hamburger Abendblatt: Nicolai Remberg, usually at home in defensive midfield, could move into central defense.

This variant would have the advantage of freeing up a spot in the central hub for the skilled technician Fabio Vieira. Thus, the Portuguese could start from the beginning in the promoted team's duel against Cologne. Otherwise, he would likely only have the role of a substitute. Because: Albert Sambi Lokonga is considered a given after being rested in the DFB-Pokal.

Polzin thus has several options to solve the potential absence issue. Capaldo's fitness condition will be crucial for HSV's personnel alignment. If he indeed has to sit out, the Arsenal newcomers Vieira and Lokonga could start alongside each other for the first time.

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