Hamburg’s Robert Glatzel speaks on returning from suspension and making an impact: “I’m glad I have a coach who doesn’t hold a grudge.” | OneFootball

After playing an influential role in Hamburg’s 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Augsburg on Saturday afternoon, Hamburger SV striker Robert Glatzel took the opportunity to thank head coach Merlin Polzin for immediately reinstating him. Glatzel found himself left out of the squad in the league fixture against Borussia Dortmund complaining about his role with the club in an interview with the Hamburger Morgenpost.

Why was Robert Glatzel benched?

Glatzel – a 2. Bundesliga scoring machine – has had difficulty earning minutes in his return to the top flight. Most regrettably for the 32-year-old, an ill-timed injury prevented him from cementing a starting role under Polzin shortly after he scored his first Bundesliga goal in well over four years back in November. The former Cardiff City man hoped to transfer out in January, but a deal to send him away couldn’t be realized. 

Glatzel complained to the local newspaper that the club showed him enormous disrespect not only for not completing his transfer, but also pushing him down to fifth place in the striker pecking order by recalling 18-year-old striker Otto Stange early from a 2. Bundesliga loan stint with Elversberg. Polzin openly criticized his player for the interview at a pre-match press conference, then decided to suspend him for one game. 

“It’s completely legitimate for players with limited playing time to be dissatisfied and to voice that,” Polzin said at the time. “The issue is the process. Bobby deliberately chose to handle it this way. And those are things that aren’t in line with our club rules.

”I told him that, in my view, it is not the right way to speak out without prior consultation,” Polzin continued. “I had an open and clarifying conversation with Bobby, and it’s not as if he’s now being [permanently] banished because of this.”

What brought back Glatzel so soon?

An accumulated yellow card suspension for midfielder Nicolai Remberg led to Fabio Vieira being moved back to pair with Albert Sambi Lokonga on the double-six. Glatzel took Ramberg’s spot in the squad while his fellow 2. Bundesliga standout Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer slid right in Polzin’s 3-4-3. Glatzel ended up assisting on Königsdörffer’s critical 1-1 equalizer in the 60th minute. 

Both attackers certainly hoped for more than a 1-1 draw. Miro Muheim’s 64th-minute red card also meant that Glatzel and Königsdörffer had to both be subbed off as Polzin adjusted to being shorthanded in the 67th-minute. The attacking duo, not to mention Polzin himself, can nevertheless be pleased about the successful collaboration moving forward. 

Glatzel and Polzin speak on moving forward

“I think we showed a lot as a team today and Bobby [Glatzel] was a very important part of it,” Polzin answered in response to a direct question about Glatzel. “I’ve always emphasized his skill set. He’s very secure on the ball, can distribute well, and also create danger in the box. He did a great job setting up that goal.

“He helps us out,” Polzin continued. “And will continue to play a role as we strive to reach our goals as a team. He’s an important component. He was totally present today and it was a good performance from him. It was a good reaction from him after our conversations and we’ll carry that forward.“

“I’m glad I have a coach who doesn’t hold a grudge,” Glatzel himself said in the mixed zone. “I certainly didn’t expect to be starting again so soon.“

GGFN | Peter Weis