BVB game mismanaged? HSV boss Polzin explains controversial subs | OneFootball

After HSV’s 3–2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund, the anger of many fans was directed primarily at head coach Merlin Polzin.

The substitution of gifted technician and provider of the 2–0 goal, Fabio Vieira, in favor of the previously completely unfortunate Damion Downs in particular is still sparking passionate debate on social media in some quarters to this day. Many also cannot understand the introduction of Fabio Baldé. As a result, many supporters are accusing the young HSV coach of having “overcoached” the game.

Polzin himself strongly rejects that interpretation. “I’m a long way from saying that we lost the game because of that substitution,” the 35-year-old made clear on Tuesday. In fact, the double substitution came at a stage when HSV were still leading 2–0, but were increasingly coming under pressure in terms of play.

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HSV rue penalties they brought on themselves

According to Polzin, the decision had clear reasons. Philip Otele was “completely exhausted,” “he simply couldn’t go on.” With Vieira, however, another aspect was decisive: he had “not provided the kind of relief he could have.” The result: HSV could barely get out of their own half. “From the 45th to the 68th minute, we were doing nothing but defending and had no relief at all anymore,” Polzin explained in retrospect. The back line had “dropped deeper and deeper.”

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With Downs and Baldé, the coach wanted to address exactly that. He was hoping for more energy off the ball, more pressure on Dortmund’s buildup play. But that plan did not work. BVB’s pressure continued to increase, and the hoped-for stabilization never materialized. Despite the pace of Downs and Baldé, the promoted side failed to create any notable transition moments,

However, Polzin sees the decisive turning point elsewhere. “If you give away a penalty like that, it gets difficult,” he said, referring to the unnecessary spot-kick that made it 2–1 and thus sparked the comeback. Overall, conceding three penalties was simply too much to survive in Dortmund.

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