Season
18.11.24
Squad update from the Volkspark
On Monday morning, the Rothosen began preparations ahead of the upcoming heavyweight clash with Schalke 04. A trio of players are pushing to make the matchday squad, while Dompe is having his workload managed individually, and Glatzel and Reis make steps-up in their rehabilitation.
As the international break draws to a close, focus turns to the clash between second-division heavyweights, just around the corner. HSV vs. S04 is a match-up steeped in footballing tradition and will be played for the 118th time this coming Saturday at the Volksparkstadion (23/11). Midfielder Marco Richter was among the Rothosen squad who started zealous preparations on Monday (18/11) ahead of this major clash on matchday 13 in Bundesliga 2. Head coach Steffen Baumgart was able to welcome the majority of the HSV players back to the pitch, after the squad had spent the past three days away from the Volkspark, pursuing individual training plans. Among the returnees were Silvan Hefti, Dennis Hadzikadunic and Emir Sahiti, after the three celebrated their comebacks from injury in last week’s friendly match against FC Twente. They will all be hoping to impress enough in training this week to be named in the next matchday squad. Winger Jean-Luc Dompe, who scored the final goal in the previous and very memorable 5-3 home victory over Schalke 04 almost 16 months ago, was once again having his workload managed individually in the training centre.
Robert Glatzel (tendon strain) and Ludovit Reis (muscle injury) shared the locker room’s excitement ahead of the crunch match with Schalke. Both players are injured long-term and are currently still working on their return to team training. Both Glatzel, who scored twice and provided two assists in the 5-3 win, and Reis, who made a surprise comeback in the last meeting between the sides away to Schalke at the start of the year (2-0 HSV win), are well aware of the power and explosive nature of this particular fixture. 57,000 fans are also looking forward to the game at the Volksparkstadion, which will be sold out for the sixth time this season. In fact, the Rothosen are still unbeaten on their own patch this season, boasting the third-best home record so far with twelve points, so the return will be a welcome one. Also returning will be the six players who are currently still away on international duty, but who will be travelling back to Hamburg this week. Hopefully, their positive form for their nations can translate into domestic success as well, such as for midfielder Adam Karabec, who already has a win with the Czechia U21 team under his belt, netting the crucial go-ahead goal in that victory, too. Schalke at home? We are ready!