Crucial rescheduled clash with Bayer: How HSV can break down the Werkself | OneFootball

This Wednesday, Hamburger SV will host Bayer 04 Leverkusen at their home Volksparkstadion for a rescheduled match. The game kicks off at 8:30 PM, with important points at stake for both teams.

After the Red Shorts showed a very good performance for only about 30 minutes over the weekend and ultimately lost narrowly but deservedly to RB Leipzig (1:2), they now aim to take a step forward. The team especially wants to build on the performances from the games before the clash with the Red Bulls.

In terms of the standings, it’s a match of great significance for coach Merlin Polzin’s team. HSV is in eleventh place and could, with a win, ensure that the relegation spot is already seven points away. Even a draw would be positive, as the weekend brings a trip to direct rivals Wolfsburg, where they also want to take at least a point.

What HSV Needs to Learn from the Leipzig Game

Basically, HSV’s approach against Leipzig on Sunday wasn’t bad. However, after a good first half hour, it was no longer well executed, which led to hectic play that suited Leipzig. Hamburg lost its accuracy and no longer played with the utmost precision and conviction in the final third. These were elements that could have been avoided if the approach had been changed. However, Polzin stuck to his strategy and couldn’t get his team’s game under control.

It will be important to bring more clarity into the game against Leverkusen, starting with the build-up. HSV made some careless mistakes here. If the risk is too great, the ball needs to be cleared. Especially since Leverkusen recently appeared vulnerable to counterattacks and transitions. If HSV wins the ball up front and enough players push forward, even clearances can turn into chances.

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It will also be important for the Red Shorts to get back behind the ball even more consistently than they did against Leipzig. The transition to defense wasn’t always ideal, especially when crosses in the final third weren’t accurate or were blocked. So, it’s again about more willingness, but also more structure and accuracy in the game.

How HSV Can Crack Bayer Leverkusen

The Werkself may go into the duel with HSV as favorites, but they don’t appear overwhelmingly strong. Over the weekend, Leverkusen only drew 1:1 against Mainz 05, showing some problems especially in their footballing play. Even in their progression against Olympiakos (2:0, 0:0), the balance was solid, but there was room for improvement in terms of play.

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This is exactly the approach for HSV. Their own compactness is important to keep posing new challenges for Leverkusen. But they must not become passive; instead, they need to keep closing gaps and at the same time occasionally land stinging attacks going forward. The mix is crucial, and variability is of essential importance. HSV must be very alert and pounce on any mistakes in Bayer’s game.

For this, especially compared to the game against Leipzig, more consistency is needed. Some attacks were broken off, sometimes a switch of play wasn’t executed well, sometimes there were two ideas at once. A clear center forward who can hold up the ball and provide positional stability in attack is a good foundation here. There’s much to suggest that Robert Glatzel will start this game, work hard against the defense, and be substituted later. One thing is clear: HSV wants and needs to show that the second half against Leipzig was just a slip-up and not the start of a trend.

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