Hoffenheim showed how it’s done: this HSV star is truly indispensable | OneFootball

The 1-4 defeat at TSG Hoffenheim was a noticeable blow to HSV. However, the loss also provided an insight: Nicolai Remberg is simply irreplaceable as one of the few players in the squad!

For the first time this season, the midfielder was absent – and his absence was clearly felt. Until his suspension, Remberg was the team's ever-present player. The summer newcomer from Holstein Kiel was the only outfield player not to miss a single minute and secured his place in the starting eleven from the first matchday. With consistently strong performances in defensive midfield and his presence as a communicative leader, the 25-year-old quickly became a key player.

In Sinsheim, coach Merlin Polzin had to do without him for the first time. Remberg received his fifth yellow card during the tumult after the won Northern Derby against Werder Bremen (3:2). Substitute Jonas Meffert performed his task solidly and, unlike many other defensive players, made no consequential individual errors. However, what was missing was Remberg's physicality, athleticism, and impact in the center.

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HSV lacks intensity and aggression without Remberg

HSV was overall too passive, lost too many duels, and lacked the necessary intensity. Polzin summed it up after the final whistle: “It's about finding solutions in every single duel on the pitch and asserting yourself.” This was precisely what the Hamburg team failed to do. On the contrary, Hoffenheim ran 123.89 kilometers, over ten kilometers more than HSV (113.23).

Remberg, the second most active runner of the team throughout the season (146.8 kilometers), was noticeably missed in these areas. His aggressive demeanor would have especially benefited the team during the completely botched initial phase.

In summary, the match in Hoffenheim impressively highlighted why Remberg had not missed a single minute before. Just a few months after his arrival, the enforcer has already become "Mr. Indispensable" and is likely to be back in the starting lineup after his suspension against Eintracht Frankfurt.

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