HSV v Heidenheim: Why Kuntz disagrees with the 'final' label! | OneFootball

With the 0:5 defeat in Munich, HSV's poor start is complete. Against Heidenheim, they are already doomed to win. Or are they?

Three games, one point, no goals – Hamburger SV had envisioned their return to the Bundesliga differently. Even though the current standings don't say much at this point, the home game against the pointless 1. FC Heidenheim (September 20, 3:30 PM) almost feels like a relegation showdown: Next Saturday at the Volksparkstadion, the seventeenth will face the eighteenth!

However, one person doesn't want such a term to arise: Sports director Stefan Kuntz. "Patience doesn't mean we need patience until next week. We need patience until April or May," he emphasized after the 0:5 loss against FC Bayern on Sky.

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With this, Kuntz makes it clear: Even though the upcoming games against Heidenheim and Union Berlin are crucial, he wants nothing to do with rash decisions or panic reactions. The experienced director deliberately supports coach Merlin Polzin, whose work with a newly assembled squad requires time.

In Munich, three players made their Bundesliga debut, and Albert Sambi Lokonga is likely to follow soon. In total, eleven new players need to be integrated. Kuntz is aware of this process and therefore urges calm.

The fact is: HSV is already under pressure early on. Heidenheim is at the bottom of the table with zero points and 1:7 goals. Last season, the Swabians narrowly escaped relegation in the playoffs. For both clubs, it's about not losing touch with the rest of the league at the Volksparkstadion. Even if it feels like a first small final for fans and media, Kuntz's message is clear: The season is long, and what matters is keeping nerves steady over the distance.

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