Downs ahead of first HSV derby: "I'm fired up for this match" | OneFootball

Just one day left until the city derby! On Friday evening, HSV will visit FC St. Pauli at the Millerntor. All eyes are especially on Damion Downs.

For the 21-year-old, it will be his first truly heated match in an HSV jersey. The special derby atmosphere has already reached him. “There’s a bit more fire in it, especially in the way people express themselves,” Downs told Bild when describing the mood within the team. “It’s constantly pointed out: Hey, it’s derby week. From the coaches, from the players among themselves. That makes everyone feel that it’s a special game.”

The striker knows exactly what he’s talking about. Downs already gained derby experience in March 2024, when he played for 1. FC Köln against Borussia Mönchengladbach. His anticipation for the duel at the Millerntor is correspondingly high. “Every pro probably loves derbies. If you ask anyone in the locker room, everyone will say: I’m up for it,” said the US international.

He especially highlights the role of the supporters: “You can sense it with the fans and during derby week, that they’re really looking forward to the match. Our supporters will definitely cheer us on massively at the Millerntor. You can generally feel how important this game is to them. I’m fired up for the match as well.”

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Downs feels right at home at HSV

After some overall difficult months in England, Downs feels he has arrived at HSV. In Southampton, the striker—who transferred for around eight million euros—barely got a chance and also struggled with loneliness. “I don’t know if it was homesickness. At first, I didn’t have anyone around me. I was often alone. That also affected my football,” he recalls. In Hamburg, it’s completely different. “What was important for me was to play again, to rediscover the joy of football. Since I’ve been here, I feel extremely comfortable,” explains Downs, who has recently started twice in a row.

He also feels he’s on the right track athletically. At the same time, he knows what he still needs to work on. “I have to improve my physical game. I’m 1.91 meters tall and I can definitely use my body much better,” Downs made clear, and he wants to put this into practice on Friday evening on the Reeperbahn.

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