Training camp

“The team is feeling alert”: Belek training camp reaction

HSV coach Merlin Polzin spoke following the training camp about the preparations for the remainder of the season, everyday work and the results achieved as a result. He also revealed the key outtakes from eight days spent in Türkiye.

After eight days in Belek, the Hamburg squad made their way home on Saturday morning (11th January). Coach Merlin Polzin and his coaching staff oversaw an intensive training camp in Türkiye. “The conditions were ideal for us to complete some very good work,” summarised Polzin, who was usually taking charge of two sessions per day with his players. The team also played two friendly matches, first against Alemannia Aachen (2-0 win), before facing FCSB (2-1 loss). Numerous meetings and much analysis also took place.

After a high-intensity few days, the HSV players are returning to Hamburg “with a very good feeling,” according to Polzin, before beginning returning to league action in exactly one week’s time when the team takes on 1. FC Köln at a sold-out Volksparkstadion. The head coach spoke following the training camp about his expectations for rest of the season, his assessment of the preparations made in Belek and which aspects of the work were particularly important. Merlin Polzin on ...

… his assessment of the training camp: We are returning home with a very good feeling. We have worked hard to prepare in the way we wanted to, with a detailed approach. We have taken clear steps forward as a team, growing together and creating a good team structure. The decision to undertake this training camp really paid off. The conditions were ideal which took a lot of organisational effort so a huge compliment to that.

… the work done in training: We wanted to develop our game when out of possession in different areas of the pitch. In other words, focusing on how to press fully, or when in midfield, or inside our own box. We were only able to introduce this gradually in December but now we have been able to finalise the position-specific details. It’s important to have options when on the ball so we worked on that too as well as depth, goal threat and rotation of positions.

… competitive focus: Football is about delivering results and winning games. You can only achieve that at the weekend, but the work in the build-up to that plays a crucial role. We demand a winning mentality in training and for the players to show passion which is extremely important for the way we want to play football. You can’t just push of a button to switch that on at the weekend. You have to want it every single day. We always set up in training to have a winner and loser to make sure everyone knows how bad losing feels.

"Both home and away, our fans ensure that we have the backing to produce a performance."

… improvements in style of play: We are still working to be able to pose a threat in different areas of the pitch in order to make it difficult for our opponents. We were very confident on the ball in the friendly against FCSB, while also remaining compact. That helped give us control. It’s not just about having the ball, but also about repeatedly targeting certain areas via planned runs and positioning. The team has the capability to pull that off and we just have to get it out of them.

… the overarching aim for the season: We have our sights set on achieving great success but we know we have to take it step by step. We have a clear vision of what we want to do but we have to work extremely hard in order to achieve that. Everyone needs to keep a level head while giving it their all so that we can achieve what we hope to together as a team.

… getting going again for the rest of the season: It’s very exciting to know that we’ll be playing under the floodlights at a sold-out Volksparkstadion next week. A big name opponent awaits, one with a lot of quality. Everyone is looking forward to the match and to having a full stadium for it. Both home and away, our fans ensure that we have the backing to produce a performance. We want to give them something in return, something that we can celebrate all together.