Poulsen as Polzin advisor: "Wants to help his boys"

In preparation for the Bundesliga match at RB Leipzig, HSV head coach Merlin Polzin has listened to the views of his captain Yussuf Poulsen as well as his analysis team. "He also has a great need to communicate because he can help his boys," said Polzin at the press conference ahead of Hamburg's game on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky). "We talked because we naturally trust his expertise."

However, Polzin emphasized that he didn't want to make too big an issue of it. He has great confidence in the guys in analysis, "who are doing a fantastic job".

For the Danish international footballer Poulsen, the game is something out of the ordinary. The 31-year-old moved to Hamburg in the summer after twelve years, 425 games, 95 goals and two DFB Cup victories for the Saxons. "It's a special situation for Yussi. It's a very, very nice return for him personally, because he's definitely a very deserving player who has shown incredible performances." Poulsen will always be an important and special player for RB.

Poulsen an option as a wild card

As expected, the striker will not be in the starting eleven after his thigh problems in recent weeks, Polzin made clear. He is definitely an option as a wild card, said the 34-year-old.

"We are being very, very careful with him because we want to get as much out of him as possible," explained the head coach. It's less about getting him to 90 minutes as quickly as possible: "It's about making the best possible use of his qualities not only off the pitch, but above all on it."

He can't say "there are many minutes in it either way. I know he's available. I know he's on fire. I expect that from him, I expect that from the other lads too and that's why it's good to know that there's someone behind you who is restless and who wants to help his team."

Successful even without the captain

Even without their new captain, HSV have been successful of late. The Bundesliga returnees recently remained unbeaten in three games, including the two home wins against 1. FC Heidenheim (2:1) and Mainz 05 (4:0). With eight points, Hamburg are ninth in the table ahead of the seventh matchday.

Leipzig now face a "top team in the league" (Polzin). The third-placed team in the table has recovered from the opening 6-0 defeat at German record champions Bayern Munich and has worked its way up to third place under new coach Ole Werner with four wins and a draw. Polzin: "The development so far this season is worthy of every honor."