Muheim replacement: Polzin gets creative! | OneFootball

Miro Muheim is unavailable to HSV for the final stretch of the season. A suitable replacement is still being sought.

Noah Katterbach, the second natural left-back in the squad, has been out of favor under Merlin Polzin. This season, he has yet to play a single minute. Even so, the club’s decision-makers around sporting director Claus Costa ultimately chose not to strengthen that position in winter. Initially, the transfer of Almugera Kabar (Borussia Dortmund) was on the cards, but it fell through at the medical.

By the time the transfer window closed, HSV had found no replacement. As a result, after Muheim’s injury became known, Polzin moved Willam Mikelrencis from the right to the left side. The idea itself was understandable, but it did not prove to be the right solution. The Frenchman once again showed significant weaknesses in key defensive duties and was heavily involved in both goals conceded.

Photo: Getty Images

Mikelbrencis under fire: Grønbaek could step into Muheim’s role

“It’s clear that we were not satisfied with the performance,” coach Merlin Polzin criticized on the sidelines of training (via Bild). It was unusually direct public criticism by his standards, and he became even more specific: “Willy has things in attack with a lot of potential, but defensively there needs to be a foundation.” Bakery Jatta, who has returned from a torn muscle fiber, provides that as a right wing-back.

That means there is no return to his natural position for Mikelbrencis. On the left, he could be replaced in the away game in Frankfurt by Albert Grønbaek, who already took over in the closing stages against Hoffenheim. “We know we can rely on him and hopefully next Saturday as well. His fearlessness is good for any team if you have a few players like that, but not too many,” said Polzin, who has repeatedly leaned toward surprising solutions over the course of the season, about the technically gifted Dane.

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Grønbaek would leave his place in central midfield to Albert Sambi Lokonga, whose return to the starting lineup had already been eagerly awaited. But the winter signing would also, just as Muheim likes to do, drift more often toward the center in order to actively contribute to the build-up play. The top priority, however, is defensive work. “He has to show what we expected from him: maximum intensity off the ball and the ability to suffer when you have to endure a spell of the opponent’s possession,” demanded Polzin, who is determined to find a way out of the crisis with his team and secure survival.

Photo: IMAGO

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