"No sugarcoating it": HSV stumbles after second 0-5 loss

Zero goals, twelve goals against, last in the standings: After a disastrous start to the Bundesliga season, Hamburger SV is clinging to messages of perseverance. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it, but we’ll still take the positives with us,” said captain Nicolai Remberg, essentially echoing the message from coach Merlin Polzin.

However, even after the 0-5 loss to RB Leipzig, it’s unlikely to be an easy task to find those very positive aspects. After HSV failed to manage a single shot on the RB goal in the first half, they at least managed a period of pressure after halftime with two or three good chances. “You definitely have to get more out of these opportunities here, because otherwise it’s going to be tough,” Polzin said regarding the team’s finishing.

Better than against Mainz—same result

HSV’s defensive performance, however, was at times reckless. There was that Leipzig counterattack around the one-hour mark, when four RB players rushed toward a Hamburg defender. Only thanks to Leipzig’s carelessness did the attack not result in a goal. That goal came a few minutes later from a set piece—and HSV fell apart.

“The 3-0 score pulled the plug on us,” said goalkeeper Daniel Heuer-Fernandes. “We simply can’t let it happen that we concede five goals again. We have to stay compact and keep our cool.” Within five minutes, HSV conceded three goals. That shouldn’t happen, emphasized sporting director Claus Costa.

Various individual mistakes led to another heavy defeat. But no one at HSV wanted to address that directly. “You can only get out of this slump if you stick together and don’t try to blame your teammates,” said Polzin. The coach saw a better team than in the 0–5 loss to Mainz. They had tried to do things significantly better than they had a week ago.