Do HSV struggle away from home? Here’s what the manager and players say! | OneFootball

The 1-4 defeat at TSG Hoffenheim reignited a well-known discussion: Does HSV have an away problem?

Numbers and impressions at least provide arguments for it. After 14 match days, it is clear that HSV will end the first half of the season at the bottom of the Bundesliga away table. So far, there have been five defeats and two draws, with a victory away from home still elusive. Away successes were only achieved in the DFB-Pokal against Pirmasens (1-2 after extra time) and Heidenheim (0-1). The recent defeats in Cologne (1-4), Augsburg (0-1), and now Hoffenheim mark a series that raises questions.

However, the team of coach Merlin Polzin had indeed shown that they can be competitive away from home. In the 1-2 match in Leipzig, HSV presented themselves on equal footing with a top team for a long time. The 0-0 draw at Union Berlin was also noteworthy. All the more surprising was the performance in the PreZero Arena, where the Hamburg team fell behind early and remained completely without chances throughout the game.

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HSV Captain Poulsen: “The away table doesn’t bother me at all”

Captain Yussuf Poulsen does not attach much importance to the away record. “The away table doesn’t bother me at all,” said the striker after the game. What matters is the overall table. Indeed, HSV is still in a decent position with 15 points and benefits from a stable home record at the Volksparkstadion.

Polzin also does not want to overemphasize the debate. “It has little to do with home or away,” explained the 35-year-old. He rather pointed to the quality of the opponent. Hoffenheim played with aggressive pressing and high intensity, which made it difficult for his team to find solutions. “We know that we are still a long way from these teams,” said the coach.

At the same time, Polzin remained critical. In Hoffenheim, his team did not reach the level of previous weeks, especially in duels. The analysis should be factual, without overrating the defeat. If HSV wants to become independent of their home strength in the long term, they will inevitably have to improve their away record as the season progresses.

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