HSV debacle against Mainz: ex-keeper warns of major problem | OneFootball

When it comes to HSV’s 5-0 thrashing by Mainz in their own stadium, it can only be described as a full-blown humiliation. And after a debacle like that, people always ask: what actually went wrong? Former HSV goalkeeper René Adler has now joined the debate as well.

In an interview with Bild, he named three reasons for the cowardly, weak, and almost submissive display on home turf.

Was Polzin too impatient?

On the one hand, there is of course the obvious: the six new signings in the starting eleven. For the 41-year-old, who himself made 129 appearances for HSV, that decision by coach Merlin Polzin “did not work out.” Adler added: “Every coach wants to implement patterns and automatisms in the new team as quickly as possible. But some transfers were completed late.”

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Possibly too late. At least for a start in the lineup just a few days later.

And yet it was exactly those last-minute transfers of Zakaria El Ouahdi, David Møller Wolfe and FabioVieira that had triggered roaring applause from the fans in the transfer market. The rest of the Bundesliga was also left impressed by the high-profile reinforcements on deadline day.

Is HSV making this mistake?

Speaking of Vieira: the hope many are placing in the playmaker’s return is, according to Adler, also a risky move. “Fabio can’t solve all of HSV’s problems,” the former goalkeeper warned, cautioning against expecting a one-man show from the Portuguese every weekend. Vieira may be able to produce special moments, but: “The rest also has to work.”

One departure is the final and most serious reason why the Mainz match was able to end in disaster. Never fall in love with a loan player — we all know that. But many HSV fans failed to avoid it, and the defensive leader from last season will surely be missed for a long time.

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Luka Vušković is now playing for Brighton, and HSV are feeling his absence everywhere. René Adler sees it the same way. “Despite his age, Vušković was an absolute leader in the HSV team. His presence and power are sorely missed,” Adler concluded. The 19-year-old made every teammate around him better.

Adler remains optimistic

Despite everything, the former pro is not giving up on this season. He said he has no fears that HSV, with this squad, are not good enough for the Bundesliga. “I hope everyone stays calm and finds the key to success,” he said with a view to the upcoming season. In the short term, he also does not consider HSV hopeless away in Leipzig on Sunday. After all, the team from the Elbe has to show a reaction, so: “Why not there?”

It is an attitude that all Rothosen fans would surely love to share.

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