Hamburger SV host 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Bundesliga matchday 2 in a clash between two sides yet to score their first goal of the season. HSV currently sit 15th in the table with 0 points from 1 game (0 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss), as shown in the latest standings.
Merlin Polzin, head coach of Hamburger SV, outlined the pre-match situation. "Hamburg entertain Mainz in the penultimate matchday 2 game of the Bundesliga as the two teams are yet to register their first goal of the campaign," Polzin said. His team lost their season opener, a Topspiel, 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund and have a goal difference of -2 (0 scored, 2 conceded). Their next fixture after Mainz is away to RB Leipzig on September 13, 2026.
Which new signings has HSV made?
On deadline day, Hamburger SV bolstered their squad with three new players. Fábio Vieira joined the club on a permanent deal. Zakaria El Ouahdi and David Møller Wolfe also signed for HSV. These additions are meant to provide more depth and quality. Another young prospect is Louis Lemke. The 16-year-old became the first player of that age to score for HSV and is expected to make his full debut at the Volksparkstadion.
What is the situation at Mainz 05?
Opponents Mainz 05 are led by head coach Urs Fischer. "The experienced coach started the campaign with a goalless draw with newly-promoted Paderborn last week," Fischer reported about his season start. This fight for points is important for Mainz as they also remain winless. The team will be without Dominik Kohr, who suffered a late injury against Paderborn. Eric Martel has not yet made his Mainz debut, while Stefan Posch is ready for the starting lineup. Also, Andreas Hanche-Olsen, who joined Chicago Fire, and Marco Richter, after a contract termination, have left the club.
What is the history between the two clubs?
The recent history between Hamburger SV and Mainz 05 features one standout result. HSV's biggest Bundesliga victory against Mainz was a 4-0 win in the previous season. Rayan Philippe scored twice on that occasion. Philippe has since joined SC Paderborn on loan. In the return fixture last season, played at the Mewa Arena, the match ended in a draw with goals from Nadiem Amiri and Fábio Vieira. Bo Svensson was in charge of Mainz 05 at the time of the 4-0 defeat. HSV's recent form is marked with an 'L' for the loss to Dortmund, and the club already finds itself 3 points behind leaders Bayern München early in the season.
Merlin Polzin's side must now prove they can integrate the new signings quickly. All details on this season's squad are available on our squad page. The match against Mainz presents an opportunity to correct the negative goal difference and secure the first points of the campaign. The next game on the fixtures schedule is the away trip to face RB Leipzig on September 13, 2026.
