HSV: The three key players in the fight for survival! | OneFootball

HSV returned to the Bundesliga after a seven-year absence and hardly ever found themselves in relegation trouble. The success was far from inevitable.

The Hanseatic club underwent a major overhaul last summer, with more than 20 squad changes. In addition, the coaching staff led by Merlin Polzin moved away from an active possession-based 4-3-3 style to a back three combined with a much more defensive approach. The friendlies and the first competitive matches were not particularly promising. A boost came through three signings shortly before the transfer window closed.

Luka Vuskovic, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fábio Vieira arrived in the Hanseatic city from north London. The trio played a key role in the team’s positive development over the rest of the season. Other new signings, as well as promotion heroes, also impressed, which made choosing the three most influential players difficult. In the end, the following players came out on top:

Luka Vuskovic – a leader while still a teenager

For months, HSV courted the brother of Mario Vuskovic, who is still serving a controversial doping ban, and firmly planned for him to be the leader of the defense. Surprisingly, Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently in relegation danger themselves, only gave the green light at the end of August. Luka Vuskovic therefore made his debut only on matchday three in the 0-5 defeat in Munich and paid a heavy price in experience.

But he learned quickly. Just a week later, the then 18-year-old scored Hamburg’s first Bundesliga goal since 12 May 2018. He continued to stand out regularly after that and was named DFL Rookie of the Month several times. Vuskovic handled his core defensive duties reliably – especially in the air, where he hardly lost a duel – and also scored six goals over the season. Among them were a spectacular backheel in the northern derby against Werder Bremen and a header to make it 2-2 in the return match against Bayern.

Nur die Raute – by HSV fans for HSV fans

“That personality he already radiates. I believe that something truly great hasn’t just grown here, but that something really, really great is still to come,” Sky pundit Lothar Matthäus raved on the sidelines of the match. When Vuskovic missed three games in a row through injury, HSV – who had been defensively solid for large stretches of the season – immediately conceded nine goals, underlining his value once again. In future, they will almost certainly have to do without the centre-back, who is also a regular for the Croatian senior national team, on a permanent basis – and they will hardly be able to compensate for his departure.

Daniel Heuer Fernandes: A key performer in the Bundesliga too

Daniel Heuer Fernandes has been playing for Hamburger SV since 2019. Yet despite largely good performances, he was rarely given unconditional trust. The goalkeeper lost his starting spot to Julian Pollersbeck, Sven Ulreich and Matheo Raab at different times. But he always fought his way back and became one of the faces of the promotion season, with his saved penalty against Ulm in particular destined to be remembered forever.

With Daniel Peretz, who arrived on loan from Bayern Munich, Heuer Fernandes was given a high-profile rival last summer. Unfazed, he won the battle for the spot. Initial louder doubts about whether he was good enough for the Bundesliga after a blunder against St. Pauli quickly faded away. Over the rest of the season, the German-Portuguese goalkeeper earned his team crucial points in the relegation battle with regular brilliant saves.

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The games against Heidenheim were a prime example, as both could easily have gone the other way, as was the draw against Bayern Munich. In the specialist magazine kicker, Heuer Fernandes – who also remained dependable with the ball at his feet – was rated the best goalkeeper of the season. Nevertheless, he will once again have to face fierce competition in preparation for the new season. The Norwegian Sander Tangvik already arrived in winter as a potential successor and in Leverkusen showed more than just glimpses that he could move into the front row.

Fábio Vieira: The difference-maker

HSV fans could hardly believe their eyes when they read last summer that Fábio Vieira might join their club. After all, he had moved from FC Porto to Arsenal for a €35 million fee as recently as 2022, though he only really found his feet there in his first year. After a loan spell back at Porto, the attacking midfielder’s path led to Hamburg, with former sporting director Stefan Kuntz’s connection to agent Jorge Mendes playing a central role.

Vieira already showed in his first home game against Heidenheim that, in footballing terms, he was completely overqualified for a Bundesliga relegation battle. After that, however, he faded away somewhat, partly due to two controversial red cards. But from the winter onward, the Portuguese playmaker took control of Hamburg’s game and became the team’s top scorer. Among other moments, he scored the superb 2-1 winner in Frankfurt with a technically outstanding volley after an excellent chest control, a goal that ultimately secured HSV’s place in the top flight for good.

On top of that, Vieira set up five more goals and, together with Nicolai Remberg and Albert Sambi Lokonga – who also undoubtedly ranked among the most eye-catching players of the season – formed a central midfield of genuine Bundesliga quality. His technical finesse left a lasting impression on the fans at the Volksparkstadion after seven years that at times featured some very laboured second-division football, and he is likely to be sorely missed. Because in Vieira’s case too, a permanent stay seems hard to imagine.

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