Hamburg reshuffle defence as Bornauw ruled out for RB Leipzig trip | OneFootball

Hamburg head coach Merlin Polzin has called for a far stronger showing at RB Leipzig after the 5-0 collapse to Mainz 05, and must rework his defence with Sebastiaan Bornauw sidelined.

According to Get German Football News, Bornauw sustained a muscular problem in that defeat and will miss Sunday’s Bundesliga trip, further testing a back line that unravelled at the Volksparkstadion. Polzin accepted responsibility for selection calls and described the display as a dreadful afternoon, saying standards were not met.

In the aftermath, he set out five messages tied to the five goals conceded, urging a different energy, clear communication and no excuses. He stressed the issues ran deeper than individual mistakes in the back three, with Mainz controlling the contest too easily.

Bornauw’s absence is expected to push Jordan Torunarigha into the central role, with 19-year-old Shafiq Nandja in line for his first Bundesliga start. Nandja impressed in pre-season, started the 3-0 DFB-Pokal win at Verl and has been the first defensive alternative during Warmed Omari’s recent absence. Asked about the youngster starting in Leipzig, Polzin hinted the answer was obvious.

Torunarigha carries added responsibility after a difficult first half against Mainz that led to his half-time withdrawal, which Polzin said was not fitness related. He has operated centrally before when Luka Vuskovic was unavailable and provides an experienced internal option.

Beyond personnel, HSV need a collective reset after opening league losses to Borussia Dortmund and Mainz, and no goals scored. Polzin wants the energy, compactness and aggression that underpinned last season’s survival to reappear in Leipzig.

Source: Get German Football News

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