Dompé is HSV’s Achilles heel – both on and off the pitch! | OneFootball

When HSV announced on August 2 of last year that Jean-Luc Dompé would be “out for the time being,” the news initially seemed hardly alarming. Many fans thought: a training injury that would require some caution at the start of the season—nothing more.

But almost six months later, the 30-year-old’s Achilles tendon problems have developed into one of HSV’s biggest sporting challenges.

Even in the first weeks of the season, it became clear how dependent Hamburg is on Dompé. In the first two matches, the attacking player only came on as a substitute, and he missed the away game in Munich entirely. On the fourth matchday, he made his starting eleven debut in the Bundesliga against 1. FC Heidenheim. When Dompé scored his first top-flight goal two weeks later in the 4-0 win over Mainz, it seemed the injury chapter was finally closed.

But that impression was deceptive. Since that goal, he has only added one more, and he has yet to register an assist. Despite this comparatively low scoring output, Dompé remains one of the most important players in HSV’s squad. Coach Merlin Polzin manages his workload meticulously. In both English weeks, the Frenchman initially sat on the bench, and he missed three of the last four first-half matches entirely.

Jean-Luc Dompé: One of the most creative players in the Bundesliga?

Even in the recent city derby against FC St. Pauli, Dompé started only as a substitute. Polzin explained: “Jean-Luc has been struggling with one or two niggles for several weeks or months. We use him as a finisher who can swing the game in our favor towards the end.”

The coach’s idea is understandable, but it failed in practice. Without Dompé, HSV’s left attacking side noticeably loses its punch. Left-back Miro Muheim, whose attacking strengths are closely linked to Dompé’s presence, is also limited as a result. The numbers show that his influence cannot be measured by goals and assists alone. Compared to the rest of the Bundesliga, he ranks tenth in chances created, and eighth in expected assists per 90 minutes. Only four players deliver more crosses into the opponent’s penalty area, and in successful dribbles, Dompé is still ranked 21st.

Photo: Getty Images

HSV star becomes a repeat offender in traffic

But all sporting statistics faded completely into the background on Thursday. Because: Dompé has been suspended by HSV! The 30-year-old was caught during a traffic stop last Sunday with a blood alcohol level of 1.4 per mille while driving. The Red Shorts reacted immediately and, after a meeting with the sporting management, excluded him from the training and match operations of the first team. In an official statement, the club emphasized that professionals are not only key performers on the pitch, but also “role models and representatives of the club.”

This means the attacking player is now a concern not only due to injury, but also for disciplinary reasons. The wording “until further notice” makes it clear that the duration of the suspension is completely open. The promoted club will decide on possible additional sanctions, such as fines or further internal measures, after completing internal discussions next week. In any case, the upcoming home game against FC Bayern (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.) will be missed by the HSV star.

This is not the first time Dompé has attracted negative attention in Hamburg for misconduct off the pitch. In February 2023, he was involved in an illegal street race with teammate William Mikelbrencis, damaging a BMW at a bus stop in St. Pauli and fleeing the scene. He had to pay around 45,000 euros for this incident. The current incident could now have significantly harsher consequences.

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Dompé becomes a problem case for HSV

The bitter, albeit secondary, aftertaste: Dompé will be sorely missed by HSV in sporting terms in the current situation. Sporting director Calus Costa has long been searching for external reinforcements for the wing. Originally, the focus was on the right side, but the long-term absence of Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit has shifted priorities to the left wing. So far, no one has been able to fill Dompé’s role there even remotely. Super-sub Fabio Baldé, effectively the backup to the backup, has remained largely ineffective and is also struggling with physical complaints.

The combination of susceptibility to injury and disciplinary problems makes Dompé a real bottleneck. On the pitch, he is still one of the key figures in Hamburg’s attacking efforts. Off the field, however, he is further burdening the team and the club. HSV faces the difficult task of organizing a short-term replacement, maintaining its public image, and at the same time not losing focus on sporting success.

Dompé—a player who could actually make the difference—has done his club a disservice in every respect. When the promotion hero will be able and allowed to fully take on his role again is completely unclear. For HSV, the Dompé situation is increasingly becoming a double problem.

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