It’s not about the striker: HSV on the hunt for more attacking firepower | OneFootball

The city derby against FC St. Pauli once again mercilessly exposed HSV’s offensive problems. This could have personnel consequences.

Despite a stable defense and some promising approaches in their play, the team regularly fails to consistently capitalize on clear opportunities. “You can see that we’re creating chances, but it’s a mix of quality, decision-making, and the opponent defending well,” HSV coach Merlin Polzin recently explained.

What stands out most is the lack of efficiency in the final third. The goalless 0:0 in the derby already marked the seventh game this season without scoring. At the Millerntor, center-back Luka Vuskovic was once again the most present player in the opponent’s penalty area.

Additionally, Sambi Lokonga, so far the team’s most dangerous scorer with four goals this season, was once again unable to start due to calf problems. Rayan Philippe, who has also scored four times, has been completely out of form for several weeks and attracted attention against St. Pauli mainly with a feeble outside-foot pass in a promising counterattack situation.

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Polzin: “We will find good solutions for HSV”

HSV still has time to react. The transfer window is open until February 2. And as the Hamburger Abendblatt reports, the club intends to do just that. Contrary to what many fans are demanding, a classic center forward is not the main focus of these considerations. Instead, HSV is specifically looking to strengthen the attacking flanks. That’s where the greatest need currently lies, which has been further exacerbated by the injury to Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit and the ongoing Achilles tendon problems of Jean-Luc Dompé.

Regarding possible transfer activities, Polzin explained after the city derby: “We need to become more dangerous offensively, that’s an issue. We’re working closely with the scouting department, Claus Costa, and Eric Huwer, and we will find good solutions for HSV.” The promoted team has a little more than a week left to do so.

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