Key Polzin ally: HSV ace must replace Vuskovic! | OneFootball

HSV travel to their away match at VfB Stuttgart severely depleted in terms of personnel. Improvisation and mentality will therefore be required.

Things are especially tight in defense. Defensive leader Luka Vuskovic is injured, Miro Muheim is suspended due to yellow-card accumulation, and there are also still question marks over the availability of Bakery Jatta and Nicolas Capaldo. One player who could benefit from this situation is Daniel Elfadli.

The 29-year-old, often used only as a substitute in recent months, is now set to return to the starting XI of all places in his home region. Coach Merlin Polzin left little doubt about that at the press conference: “Sunday is a special match for him, it’s back home. He will probably spend quite a lot of time on the pitch.”

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HSV: Polzin expects leadership qualities from Elfadli

However, the defensive all-rounder has mostly been a backup in recent weeks. Before that, Elfadli had turned in one or two weaker performances. In particular, in the away match against VfL Wolfsburg (2:1), he struggled on several occasions and conceded the penalty that made it 0:1 at the time. But Polzin emphasized: “He has tried to work diligently on the issues that may have led to him getting less playing time in recent weeks.”

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At least just as important from HSV’s perspective: Elfadli brings qualities that go far beyond the sporting side of things. Especially in a phase when many regular starters are unavailable, his confident manner could prove decisive. “Regardless of his playing time, he is a very important point of contact for me when it comes to leading the team, when it comes to the team’s energy level,” Polzin made clear.

The coach praised his player’s personality several times, speaking of “positive emotions” and a “positive attitude toward life.” Attributes that are likely to be needed in the tough match in Stuttgart.

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