Polzin confirms: HSV defender misses key clash with Cologne | OneFootball

HSV’s worries are not getting any smaller. Ahead of the crucial home game against 1. FC Köln (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.), there is now certainty.

As expected, defensive leader Sebastiaan Bornauw will not be available for Hamburg. Coach Merlin Polzin confirmed the center-back’s absence at the pre-match press conference. “Seb won’t make it. He has muscular problems that improved over the course of the week,” the HSV coach explained. There is therefore hope for a prompt return. “He will certainly be able to return to team training soon. But it won’t work for the game this weekend,” Polzin said.

Even so, Bornauw’s absence is extremely bitter for HSV. After all, the defense showed major problems in the poor start to the new Bundesliga season. In both the 5-0 defeat against Mainz and the 5-0 loss in Leipzig, the Rothosen made individual mistakes and showed glaring communication issues. After three matchdays, they have already conceded 12 goals. They have never had that many at this stage of a season before.

HSV have four options at center-back

Without Bornauw, Polzin’s options in central defense are limited. In Leipzig, the coach relied on Jordan Torunarigha, Nicolás Capaldo, and young talent Shafiq Nandja. In addition, Warmed Omari made his comeback as a substitute after several weeks out injured. However, the quartet failed to impress.

Photo: IMAGO

While Nandja, in his first Bundesliga start, predictably had to pay his dues, and Omari is likely to need more time after his shoulder injury, the dip in form of Capaldo and Torunarigha is a serious concern.

In theory, Polzin could therefore opt for a creative solution. Captain Nicolai Remberg already filled in at center-back last season. New signing Kofi Amoako could also play there, but he is still waiting for his first competitive minute in an HSV shirt. A lot therefore suggests that Polzin will once again rely on the available personnel against Köln. Most likely, it will come down to a trio of Capaldo, Torunarigha, and Omari.

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