Blow: HSV without Capaldo and Dompé, how will Polzin react? | OneFootball

HSV are slowly gaining some clarity over their squad situation ahead of the crucial basement clash against FC Augsburg. However, the news is only positive to a limited extent.

Alongside the suspended Nicolai Remberg, Nicolás Capaldo and Jean-Luc Dompé are also expected to miss out. Capaldo, who had actually been lined up as the obvious replacement for Remberg, is still struggling with abdominal muscle problems and has recently only been able to work in the gym. Dompé has also been sidelined with an injury for several days. As Bild and Mopo consistently report, the winger is also unlikely to be an option for the Augsburg match due to foot problems.

This raises the key question: how will head coach Merlin Polzin set up his midfield? A more defensive solution would be center-back Daniel Elfadli, who spent large parts of his professional career as a holding midfielder. However, much suggests that HSV will opt for a more attacking variant. Arsenal new arrivals Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira are firmly expected to start. The only open question is who will take the third midfield spot.

Photo: IMAGO

Grønbaek set for HSV debut?

This is where winter signing Albert Grønbaek could come into play. The Dane, on loan from Stade Rennes, is still waiting for his Bundesliga debut after bad luck with injuries and illness. Of all times, his chance may have come in the key game against fellow strugglers Augsburg. In the summer, the Rothosen hold a purchase option worth five million euros

Nur die Raute – All the news about HSV

The same also applies to Philip Otele. Although the left winger only returned on Wednesday from a draining international trip with the Nigerian national team, he still has a good chance of starting. That is not only due to Dompé’s injury, but also because of his strong performance against Borussia Dortmund.

Before the two-week Bundesliga break, Otele scored his first goal in an HSV shirt in the 2:3 defeat against the Black and Yellows. Particularly in the first half, he also drew attention with several other strong moments. Against Augsburg, he is therefore likely to lead the line alongside Ransford Königsdörffer. The 24-year-old is also expected to return to team training on Thursday after his time away with the Ghana national team.

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