Hamburger SV are preparing to extend the contract of coach Merlin Polzin despite a season start that featured back-to-back 5-0 defeats to Mainz 05 and RB Leipzig. The club is showing faith in the manager who previously secured their survival as they turn their focus to the Bundesliga matchday four clash at home against 1. FC Köln.
"I'm preparing to extend my contract instead," Polzin said. This statement highlights the stability the club is seeking amid a difficult opening phase. Hamburger SV sit 16th in the table with just three points from four games, already nine points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.
For the match against Köln, Fabio Vieira could make his first start since joining on a permanent deal. Miro Muheim is also ready for his first appearance of the season after reaching the required fitness level. On the injury list, Sebastian Bornauw remains sidelined with muscular problems, alongside Mario Vušković and Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit. The current squad list shows the available options.
1. FC Köln travel to Hamburg following a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen and a 4-1 loss at Stuttgart. The visitors are only missing Timo Hübers through injury, while new Germany international Said El Mala is expected to return to the starting lineup. Up front, Ragnar Ache and Thijs Dallinga are competing for a starting berth. The last meeting between the two sides ended in a 2-1 home win for HSV, with goals from Nicolás Capaldo and Yussuf Poulsen.
Hamburg must put behind them the memory of last season's 4-1 loss to Köln, which they finished with nine men. The team aims to build on the positive momentum from that recent victory over the same opponent. A look at the fixtures shows the next away game at 1899 Hoffenheim on October 10th.
First reported at sports.yahoo.com
