“Always a step ahead…”: Heuer Fernandes on his penalty-saving prowess | OneFootball

For the second time in a row, Daniel Heuer Fernandes became HSV’s points guarantor against Union Berlin. Especially from the penalty spot, he is almost unbeatable.

Once again, Daniel Heuer Fernandes is the great HSV hero. In the 0-0 draw against Union Berlin, the keeper saved a penalty from Andrej Ilic as early as the 10th minute, securing an important point for his team. He had already shone with several game-deciding saves in the 2-1 win over 1. FC Heidenheim. The fact that Hamburg can also rely on their goalkeeper’s nerves of steel in the Bundesliga was impressively demonstrated once again in Köpenick.

His saved penalties are no longer a coincidence: for the ninth time in his professional career, he was able to stop a penalty in a league match. On top of that, there are four more from the 2021/2022 season, when his outstanding performances carried HSV all the way to the DFB Cup semi-finals.

Coach Merlin Polzin summed it up after the match: “We have to thank Ferro again for keeping us in the game.” Even in the promotion-deciding 6-1 win against SSV Ulm in May, the German-Portuguese saved a penalty at 1-1, making the big celebration possible in the first place.

Nur die Raute – All the news about HSV

Heuer Fernandes explains his penalty-saving prowess

But where does this special strength come from? Heuer Fernandes himself says: “It’s always a bit of everything. A little preparation and a feel for the game. That was the right thing today.” The 32-year-old studies the preferred corners of the shooters beforehand, but also pays close attention to body language and the run-up right before the shot. Against Ilic, it also helped that the attempt wasn’t perfectly placed.

Nevertheless, the goalkeeper remains self-critical. He would have liked to take all three points from the Alte Försterei instead of just one. “I had the feeling there was more in it for us here,” said Heuer Fernandes. Even though he can be pleased with his second clean sheet of the season.

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