"We've been working on it": How HSV plan to end their goal drought | OneFootball

As one of only three teams in Europe's top five leagues, HSV is still waiting for its first goal of the season. But that is set to change against Heidenheim!

After three games, Hamburger SV still has a zero—not at the defensive, but at the offensive end of the field. So far, Merlin Polzin's team has not managed a single goal. A similar dry spell has only occurred since the Bundesliga started in 1963 in the 2014/2015 season, when the Rothosen were only able to celebrate on the 6th matchday.

There are many statistics that demonstrate HSV's current ineffectiveness: With only 21 shots, they find themselves in second-to-last place league-wide, with only the upcoming opponent Heidenheim having shot less on goal. The Expected Goals also speak volumes: With 1.59 (according to understat.com), the newcomer is lagging at the bottom of the table.

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HSV hopes for a return to set-piece strength

To end the goal drought, Polzin is now relying on a weapon that has hardly been used so far: set pieces. Free kicks, in particular, are expected to pose a threat against Heidenheim. “We have worked on it in training. It's also an element to become dangerous through set pieces,” explained the 34-year-old at the matchday press conference.

The coach has several shooters in mind. “We have Luka Vuskovic, who can also be dangerous from a distance. Dompé has proven his quality multiple times, as have Fabio Vieira or Miro Muheim,” Polzin lists. Additionally, newcomer Rayan Philippe “surprised me with one or two free kicks.” Immanuel Pherai is also an option.

However, the key is the coordination on the field: “Who takes the shot depends on the players' communication and their feeling. I have full confidence that we have enough personnel in such a situation.”

Even in the past promotion season, set pieces were among HSV's most important offensive weapons. The Elbe city team scored a whopping 18 times after a dead ball. Of those, ten goals came from corners, five from penalties, and three from free kicks.

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