Polzin pulls no punches after HSV thrashing: alarm bells at the back | OneFootball

Hamburg SV received a harsh reality check with their 0-4 defeat against Olympique Lyon. All parties involved are aware that there is still a lot of work to be done.

With just under four weeks to go before the start of the season in Mönchengladbach (August 24), Hamburg SV is not yet in Bundesliga form. Following test match defeats against Copenhagen (0-1) and Sturm Graz (1-2), the team suffered a clear 0-4 defeat against Olympique Lyon on Saturday in front of 45,757 spectators at the Volksparkstadion. In their duel with higher-class opponents, the Red Devils are still waiting for a successful experience in this preparation!

Coach Merlin Polzin put the latest defeat into clear words: "You saw today that if you're not careful or consistently performing, you'll get punished at the back."

Despite this, the 34-year-old is still convinced that it's right to test themselves against exclusively strong teams. "It doesn't do us any good to win against lower-class teams and think it'll continue like it did in the second league." This form of preparation is intended to get the players used to the significantly higher level in the Bundesliga.

Only the diamond – All news about HSV

Many HSV professionals are still searching for their form

On a positive note: Against Lyon, the in-form Emir Sahiti impressed once again. Several times, he technically solved complex game situations. The team's play with right-back Silvan Hefti also worked in the second part of the 120-minute test. "Of course, the result isn't nice. But that's football," Sahiti explained after the final whistle and made it clear: "We just have to get better."

However, especially on an individual level, there are still significant issues: The newly formed back three presented themselves as alarmingly porous against the French team. Both new signing Jordan Torunarigha and the previously strong Aboubakar Soumahoro showed clear weaknesses.

And in the offense, the decisive impulses are still lacking: Striker Ransford Königsdörffer and right winger Rayan Philippe are clearly struggling with their current, sometimes unfamiliar positions.

Despite all the problems, Polzin remains calm with a view to the Bundesliga start. Diplomatically, he emphasizes: "The guys know they're being challenged differently than they were in the last seven years."

At least: In the coming week, HSV wants to sign both a center-back and a right-back. Given the serious defensive deficits, this is certainly not a misguided measure.

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