The dreaded second year? Polzin tightens the reins at HSV! | OneFootball

Survival has been secured, and the return to the Bundesliga has been a success. But at HSV, nobody wants to make the mistake of resting on the achievements of last season.

At the start of the training camp in Helsingør, Denmark, head coach Merlin Polzin made it clear that the Rothosen are facing a new challenge: the often-cited, dreaded second year.

Statistics do show that Bundesliga newcomers are relegated more often in their first season than in their second. HSV’s new board member for sport, Kathleen Krüger, recently pointed out that clubs usually have a better chance of staying up once they have survived their debut season in the top flight. Even so, Polzin knows the dangers that can follow a successful first year.

“These weeks will determine how we start the season and who we want to be,” the 35-year-old said at the start of pre-season during a media round. In his view, the right mindset will be the key factor in whether HSV can continue its development. “Taking the next steps after a great first year in the Bundesliga is only possible with the right attitude and high standards.”

Photo: IMAGO

HSV coach Polzin: “We want to win every day”

Polzin knows that the element of surprise has largely worn off. Opponents, stadiums and coaches are no longer unfamiliar. “Now everyone knows what happens when they come to Hamburg. And we know what it’s like when we go to Dortmund, for example. What matters now is how we want to perform,” the HSV coach stressed.

He is already tightening the reins noticeably in pre-season. The club’s internal season analysis showed that the numbers for intensity and transition play in particular were not satisfactory. Polzin is therefore demanding even greater consistency in daily training. “The question is: What standards do we set for ourselves, and what is non-negotiable?” he said. His goal: a team that sets the highest standards for itself. “We want to get better every day and pay attention to every little detail. We want to win every day.” That sets the tone for the coming weeks.

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