HSV shock: two key players ruled out! | OneFootball

HSV face a difficult away game at VfB Stuttgart on Sunday. A look at the squad suggests the signs could hardly be worse.

It had already been confirmed that, alongside the long-term absentees Yussuf Poulsen and Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit — who set up the temporary 1:0 lead in the emotional first-leg win — Miro Muheim will also be unavailable after being sent off against Augsburg. During the training week, there were repeated reports that Nicolás Capaldo would also have to sit out again because of his abdominal muscle injury.

At the press conference, however, coach Merlin Polzin gave the all-clear: “The decision on Capi is still pending. But I’m optimistic that it will work out.” Polzin left open whether the Argentine, if given the green light by the medical staff, would already be a candidate for the starting XI. Bakery Jatta and Jean-Luc Dompé, who is still struggling with foot problems, will remain unavailable.

Photo: IMAGO

HSV: Who will step in for Vuskovic and Lokonga?

In recent days, two key figures in Hamburg’s game have joined the list of already known injury concerns: Luka Vuskovic and Albert Sambi Lokonga. “Luka took a knock to the knee and will therefore be out,” the coach reported. So far, the high-flyer has missed only one match since his arrival. He was suspended for the away game in Mainz due to yellow-card accumulation. Jordan Torunarigha took over the role in central defense and delivered a convincing performance.

In Stuttgart, the 28-year-old could once again serve as Vuskovic’s direct replacement. In that case, Daniel Elfadli — who had recently been used sparingly after some shaky performances beforehand — would come in as the left center-back. Lokonga, meanwhile, has had far more frequent injury problems over the course of his career. Because of thigh issues, he will “in all likelihood” not be available for HSV in Stuttgart.

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Albert Grønbaek is considered a possible replacement. He made his roughly 25-minute debut only last Saturday in the home game against Augsburg and left a very positive impression. “Now he’s fully fit and definitely ready for even more playing time,” Polzin stressed, before once again praising his flexibility, which allows him to operate both out wide and in the center. Nicolai Remberg will undoubtedly return to central midfield, where an even more important role awaits him given the absence of several leaders.

Photo: IMAGO

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