Hamburger SV started its third and final pre-season training camp at the exclusive 'Adidas Home Ground' in Herzogenaurach on Monday. According to a report by Bild, the squad of 29 players traveled there, including the returning first-choice defender Miro Muheim.
The Swiss international Miro Muheim ended his post-World Cup holiday and joined the team in Hamburg on Monday morning. His integration into training is a key step for the squad planning. Midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, who recently struggled with muscle issues, was also part of the group. The current injury situation can be tracked on our injuries page.
What is the current squad situation?
Alongside Muheim and Lokonga, winger Fabio Baldé was part of the traveling party. Only center-back Nicolas Capaldi trained separately. The Argentine took a blow to his thigh in the friendly against Everton. Rehabilitation coach Sebastian Capel oversaw his individual program on a side pitch. It remains to be seen how quickly Capaldi can return to full fitness. The team will train intensively under coach Merlin Polzin in the sealed-off camp until Friday.
What characterizes the Herzogenaurach training camp?
The team flew by charter to Nuremberg on Monday morning and then traveled by bus to the 'Home Ground'. Accommodation is in 15 bungalows with single rooms. The centerpiece of the facility is a large swimming pool with three functional buildings. No further activities outside the campus are planned for the coming days. The entire pre-season is aimed at the Bundesliga kick-off, the precise schedule for which can be found on our fixtures page.
Which friendly match is next?
After returning from Herzogenaurach, HSV will play its fourth pre-season friendly on Saturday, August 8th. The opponent is French Champions League participant OSC Lille. This represents a significant step up in difficulty. Lille is coached by Davide Ancelotti and possesses attacking threat with striker Ethan Mbappé. For HSV, it is the final major test before the league season begins. Coach Polzin's team aims to gather further insights for the upcoming campaign, in which they seek to improve their position in the standings.
The pre-season is now entering its final phase. The return of key players like Muheim is positive, but the fitness of some individuals remains a point of attention. The upcoming friendly against Lille will show how far the team's development has progressed.
