Hamburger SV are facing an attacking crisis with key forwards Patson Daka and Albert Grönbaek sidelined by muscle injuries. Head coach Merlin Polzin must find alternatives for Saturday's Bundesliga away match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, with his team sitting 16th in the table having scored just two goals this season.
The Rothosen have netted only twice in their first four league games while conceding thirteen times. The absence of Daka and Grönbaek, who provided two assists in the recent win over Cologne, is a significant blow. "That is definitely our task," said Polzin about finding new solutions.
One option could be summer signing Fábio Vieira. The Portuguese midfielder joined from Arsenal for a fee of nine million euros but is yet to register a goal or an assist. Polzin may deploy him as a supporting striker or a false nine. "The lads who are on the pitch will know what they have to do to be successful," the coach added.
The last meeting with Hoffenheim ended in a 4-1 defeat for HSV back in December. Coming off two consecutive wins, including a 2-0 victory over Copenhagen, the team aims to build momentum and overcome this difficult situation. The match in Sinsheim kicks off at 3:30 PM on Saturday.
First reported at sport1.de
