"Wasn't intentional": Polzin explains HSV's kit chaos | OneFootball

Shortly after the restart of the match between Heidenheim and HSV, a curious scene caused unrest on the field and puzzled looks from spectators and opponents.

The background: There was a delay for HSV immediately after the halftime break because a jersey was missing. Coach Merlin Polzin provided an explanation after the match and clarified that there was no intention behind this situation.

The trigger was the injury to Sambi Lokonga. The midfielder was involved in a painful duel with Heidenheim's Patrick Mainka shortly before the end of the first half but initially wanted to continue after the break.

"Sambi was with our physios and the doctor during the halftime break. He tried to start the second half as best as possible," Polzin explained later. Lokonga even returned from the locker room earlier to test his fitness. But after just a few moments, it was clear that he could not continue.

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The Belgian indicated that he needed to be substituted. Damion Downs was supposed to come into the game in his place. But this is where the chaos began. The jersey of the US striker was not on the bench but still in the locker room. Team manager Mats Wesling sprinted across the field to fetch the jersey while both teams were already ready for the restart. Downs could only be substituted at the last second.

Polzin immediately removed the situation from the gray area of possible interpretations. "It had less to do with an attempted time-wasting if it came across that way," said the HSV coach. The reason was purely organizational. "It was just that Damion's jersey was not yet available, which is why it took a little longer. That was not our intention."

For Lokonga himself, there remains hope that the injury to his ankle is not worse. On Monday, HSV plans to reevaluate the fitness of their key player.

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