HSV wonderkid impresses v Rapid: “Did very well” | OneFootball

HSV had likely already put the 2:3 defeat to Rapid Vienna behind them just a few minutes after the final whistle. Despite the loss, there were too many positives to take away.

Youngster Louis Lemke in particular put himself in the spotlight against the Austrian record champions. The 16-year-old homegrown talent made a strong impression in his first start for the senior team. With the HSV squad still showing several weak spots and a number of regular starters unavailable, coach Merlin Polzin deliberately turned to youth in Vienna. Alongside Lemke, two more academy players — Jason Bissi-Mouelle and Elias Lahti — were also in the starting lineup. More talents got their chance in the second half.

However, it was Lemke’s performance that drew the most attention from the crowd. The left-back, who became the youngest Bundesliga player in HSV history last season, stayed on the pitch until the 77th minute. Although he scored an unfortunate own goal, the Germany U17 international was overall extremely brave and committed. He also helped set up Albert Grønbaek’s temporary 2:1 with a cleverly timed run that opened up space.

Polzin was pleased as well. After the match, the coach stressed how important appearances like these are for the development of young talents. “These are the moments when they realize what they still lack, but when we also realize how far along they already are,” the 35-year-old was quoted as saying by the Hamburger Abendblatt. He also said of Lemke: “He played a bit more than one or two others, and he earned that.”

Photo: IMAGO

HSV captain heaps praise on Lemke

HSV jewel received especially positive feedback from captain Yussuf Poulsen. “You have to praise Louis — he played for over 75 minutes on the left flank at this level for the first time, and he did very well,” the Dane said after the final whistle.

Lemke is also currently benefiting from the squad situation on a personnel level. Regular starter Miro Muheim is still on vacation after the World Cup, while challenger Noah Katterbach has moved to Eintracht Braunschweig. On top of that, right-backs William Mikelbrencis and Giorgi Gocholeishvili have also departed, so HSV are currently looking for reinforcements on both defensive flanks.

Even so, Lemke has a great opportunity to collect more plus points in the coming weeks. What is also clear, however, is that HSV see their top talent as a long-term project. Or, as Polzin put it: “For him, this is only the beginning — we will continue to build him up carefully.”

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