Hamburg captain Yussuf Poulsen (31) thanks HSV fans for one of the ‘most special’ moments in his long and storied career | OneFootball

Just like his coach, Hamburg captain Yussuf Poulsen credited the support of Hamburger SV’s fans in his team’s latest Bundesliga triumph over SV Werder Bremen. The atmosphere furnished by the HSV ultras helped out immensely as Poulsen and the squad squared off against their Hanseatic city state rivals. To Poulsen’s delight, the team was able to pay the fans back with a sensational 3-2 victory. 

Poulsen – often the subject of criticism due to the fact that injuries have left him unable to fulfill the captain’s role adequately – came off the bench to score the match-winner. The 31-year-old could have hardly picked a better time to score his first goal in the colors of his new club. Poulsen joined head coach Merlin Polzin in thanking the fans for greeting the team bus as it rolled up to the Volksparkstadion.

Upon seeing that the fans had turned out to greet them, the team opted to get off the bus early and walk amongst the fans for the last few meters before entering the catacombs of the stadium. Speaking in the mixed zone, Poulsen listed this as the first major experience that made a difference. 

“That was very special event that fit with the tone of the week,” Poulsen said of the arrival. “The tension had been building over the last few days.“

One of the ‘most special games’ in Poulsen’s career

Poulsen – a veteran of 240 Bundesliga games during his many years in Leipzig and thus far short stint in Hamburg – also went so far as to single out this particularly match as one of the major highlights of his career.

“It was one of the most intense and special games I’ve experienced at Bundesliga level,” Poulsen said. “There’s not many match-ups like this in the Bundesliga.

:My first goal for HSV, in the derby, in front of the north tribune,” Poulsen continued. “It doesn’t get any better than that. As footballer, you always hope that you will be able to experience moments like this.”

GGFN | Peter Weis