Hoffenheim up next: must HSV reinvent themselves? | OneFootball

In Saturday evening’s Bundesliga match, Hamburger SV face TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday (6:30 p.m., live on Sky). The Red Shorts have the advantage of playing at home, but apart from that, there are currently plenty of factors that do not exactly inspire much confidence.

The team coached by Merlin Polzin currently has plenty of reason for frustration. Sometimes with themselves, sometimes with the referee, then again with injuries and suspensions. In short: it is time to secure survival before the mood shifts once more.

The coach is now in demand. Both as a motivator and as a mediator. And he must not overthink the matches, make too many changes, or adapt too much. Above all, he has to stick to the basics. But that is sometimes easier said than done.

Hamburg will, among others, be without Luka Vuskovic against TSG. He is still not ready, and Miro Muheim is out anyway. That means two players who are important for the defensive basics and for a certain structure in build-up play will be missing.

Home game against Hoffenheim: Balance will decide it

After the last few matches, also without Vuskovic, in which the desired short passing build-up partly went completely wrong, the question arises: does Hamburg now have to reinvent itself? Well, not quite. But the approach does need to be adjusted. More clarity is needed. That means HSV cannot afford to take so many risks in defense against an opponent strong in pressing and packed with quick attacking players. On the contrary: long balls and consistent support from deeper positions, preventing Hoffenheim from settling into their game, could be exactly the key. The combination of a target man and support with real pace may be ideal here.

Photo: IMAGO

What matters is not overthinking the game and making it unnecessarily complicated. HSV would be well advised to analyze exactly where TSG’s core problems lie. They often appear after losing possession, when the transition to defense is not always ideal, and above all at set pieces. At times, the marking is lacking there. So set plays, including those delivered by Fabio Vieira, will be especially important.

It may sound simple, perhaps even a little clichéd, but if HSV manage in this match to play as a unit, support one another, focus on the basics, and also get a little luck on their side, then even with the current personnel situation, there is something to be had against a Hoffenheim side that has looked somewhat shaky overall in recent weeks. And a positive result would also virtually guarantee survival, that much is certain.

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