Polzin after DFB-Pokal battle: "No need for apologies" | OneFootball

Hamburg SV narrowly avoided an absolute embarrassment against FK Pirmasens. However, Merlin Polzin takes two positive learnings from the match.

That was close! Against a bravely fighting FK Pirmasens, Hamburg SV got a black eye just a week before the Bundesliga opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach (August 24). Only a last-minute goal by the substitute center back Guilherme Ramos (90.+2) got the Hanseatic team into extra time at all.

"I'm glad I could help to win," the Portuguese explained after the final whistle to the club's own channels and revealed the match plan for the last 10 minutes: "We tried to play high balls at the end because we have good headers. Nice that it worked out." The decisive 2:1 by Ransford Königsdörffer (100.) also came after a free-kick cross from Miro Muheim.

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Polzin sees a "typical cup game"

Nevertheless, it was evident to every spectator over 120 minutes that HSV is far from being in Bundesliga form. "We didn't manage to dominate the deep-lying opponent at the beginning, were not compelling enough and made it unnecessarily difficult for ourselves," also analyzed head coach Merlin Polzin, who also referred to "the typical attributes" of a cup game.

Still, the 34-year-old draws two positive insights from the cup struggle in Pirmasens. "My team stuck together and believed in themselves until the end," he made clear. "That is, besides the strength in set pieces, the positive that we take from this game."

The sometimes harsh criticism that HSV received on social media for the performance shown leaves Polzin completely cold. "We don't have to apologize for having advanced a round in the cup," the coach announced. Rather, they are now looking forward "maximally" to the Bundesliga start next weekend.

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