One must sit on the bench! Tight three-way battle for HSV’s midfield | OneFootball

A few days before the start of the competitive season, HSV is still tinkering with its starting eleven. This also applies to the central midfield, where three players are fighting for two positions.

If we take the final test match against RCD Mallorca (0:2) as an example, Merlin Polzin has a clear tendency: Hamburger SV will start the season with two new signings pulling the strings in central midfield. Against the team from Mallorca, the coach relied for 61 minutes on Nicolás Capaldo and Nicolai Remberg. The two summer transfers performed solidly, without being able to gather any truly compelling arguments for themselves.

But even now it is apparent: Capaldo is a guaranteed starter under Polzin! The Argentine arrived with, among other things, the credentials of 22 Champions League appearances for RB Salzburg and impressed especially in his debut tests against Graz and Lyon.

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HSV: Will Meffert have to sit on the bench?

Remberg, who was signed from Kiel, also has a good chance of securing a regular starting spot. The coaching team especially values his physical and sometimes rough style of play. Currently, Jonas Meffert finds himself only in a challenger role. Although the 30-year-old was always an undisputed starter over the past four years, he now has to fight hard for his place. The reason: Compared to Meffert, Remberg is the more physical and, above all, more athletic player. Meffert, on the other hand, scores points more for his anticipation and cleverness.

However, what the long-standing top dog has ahead of his new rival: He is more skilled with the ball at his feet! This was evident not least against Mallorca, when Meffert made a good impression after coming on as a substitute and delivered some clever passes to his teammates. So, in the battle for the (supposedly) vacant position next to Capaldo, the promotion hero is by no means giving up. It is no coincidence that Polzin recently described the competition among his protégés as a “super competitive battle.”

The only flaw: Neither Capaldo, Remberg, nor Meffert are progressive passers. All three midfielders have only limited ability to play line-breaking balls from deep and decisively set up their forwards. Capaldo is a good ball carrier, Meffert has unmistakable qualities in deeper build-up play, and Remberg also developed into a solid build-up player in Kiel – but none of this trio is particularly creative!

The logical consequence: Before Deadline Day, HSV is determined to sign a classic playmaker! Even though there is no longer a number ten position in the newly created 3-4-3 system, those responsible have recognized the urgency of such a transfer. But until the sought-after player is found, Capaldo, Remberg, and Meffert will be fighting as a trio for control in Hamburg’s midfield. With Capaldo currently having the best prospects.

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