Who gets the armband? HSV name new captain for Bayer clash! | OneFootball

HSV faces an unusual situation ahead of the rescheduled match against Bayer Leverkusen. Coach Merlin Polzin must appoint a new captain at short notice.

The Bundesliga newcomers will be without four potential candidates on Wednesday evening (8:30 p.m., Sky). Normally, Yussuf Poulsen wears the armband. However, the experienced striker is still being eased back in after his long injury layoff. As recently, the forward is likely to start on the bench again. Polzin explained at the press conference on Tuesday: “We don’t want to make a decision that will hurt us for weeks to come.” Poulsen has coped well with around 30 minutes of playing time recently. But the coach does not want to take any more risks at the moment.

The usual alternatives are also unavailable. Nicolás Capaldo, who has captained the team in Poulsen’s absence, is out injured. After his early substitution against Leipzig, there were major concerns about a long-term absence, but Polzin was able to give at least partial all-clear. “After his reaction on the field, we feared something much worse. But we got off quite lightly,” the 35-year-old explained. Nevertheless, the Argentine will miss the games against Leverkusen and Wolfsburg.

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Duel for the HSV armband

Miro Muheim, also a member of the team council, will be sitting in the stands due to a yellow card suspension. This has thrown the Hanseatic hierarchy into complete disarray.

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Polzin has already hinted at who now has the best chances: “If Poulsen doesn’t start, Heuer Fernandes or Remberg will lead the team out with the armband.” According to Bild, Nicolai Remberg is considered the favorite. As an outfield player, the midfielder can communicate more easily with the referee and directly influence the game on the pitch.

A final decision has not yet been made as of Tuesday. Polzin first wants to talk to his team. The coach also made it clear that regardless of his captaincy decision, “everyone is needed anyway” to bring the energy that was partly missing against Leipzig back onto the pitch.

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