HSV transfer plans and sporting analysis after defeat in Dortmund

Sports director Kathleen Krüger confirmed before the game in Dortmund that professional football director Claus Costa was in London for talks. “This is an expression of the fact that we value Fabio very much,” said Krüger on Sky.

However, it is important to act economically soundly. “I can reassure every HSVer: We are working very intensively on the transfer market and are of course trying everything towards Arsenal London.” She confirmed: “Of course it would look good on us.”

Above all, the North Germans' weak performance in the first half at Borussia Dortmund made it clear that the club lacks creativity at headquarters. But also in many other things.

Polzin did not see the fact that a player like Vieira was missing as one of the main points of criticism. “Today it was less about whether a player like Fabio was in our squad or on the field like last season, but rather about completely different things in the first half that weren’t there,” said Polzin.

Polzin criticized HSV for being “too passive” in the first half. “With both goals we conceded you can see that we weren’t attentive enough and didn’t implement the things we planned to do.” In many statistical respects, the Champions League participants were clearly superior.

At least in the second half, Hamburg appeared improved in the first season after the departure of the outstanding loan player Luka Vuskovic. “That's what we're taking with us from today: that we showed a face that I can identify with very well over 45 minutes, but not over 90 minutes,” said Polzin.

He was also able to identify with the performance of 16-year-old Louis Lemke, who became the youngest competitive goalscorer in HSV's long history with his goal in the 3-0 cup win against third division team SC Verl during the week. And now Lemke made his first starting eleven appearance in the Bundesliga. "He definitely got better today because he gained experience. Because he realized what it means to play Bundesliga football," Polzin praised the Hamburg native from his own youth team.