“We aren’t just working with one another but for one another”

This week sees a quick turnaround for head coach Merlin Polzin and his HSV players. After only playing away in Regensburg on Sunday, the team next host 1. FC Kaiserslautern this Friday night with plenty riding on the game (18:30 CET). In his press conference on Wednesday (19th February), the HSV coach spoke about preparations for the contest between the second- and third-placed teams, his thoughts on the Red Devils and what he expects to see from his own side. Merlin Polzin on…

…the short week of training between the Regensburg and Kaiserslautern matches: We have obviously analysed the game in Regensburg and picked out things that didn’t go so well. However, we have also turned attentions to the upcoming challenge against FCK and have a solid week of training behind us. We are looking forward to this Friday night clash – it should be an exciting game. It is always special when two of the top teams go head-to-head under the floodlights.

"The stands will be packed out and full of noise on Friday which should help"

…upcoming opponents 1. FC Kaiserslautern: FCK are a great team and arguably the side that has performed best in the second half of the season so far. They play with impressive fluidity and always give it their all. They also strengthened their squad in January. We need to be wary of them while at the same time brining our own game and going about things as we like to do. Nevertheless, the stands will be packed out and full of noise on Friday which should help. It will be a special affair between two of the teams right up there, pushing for the same target.

…his own side: Since taking charge, I have always felt the desire of my team to go out there and win each game even if that ends up being easier in some matches, such as the one against Fürth when we were up 3-0 after 15 minutes, and harder in others like last time out in Regensburg. A lot of things didn’t go our way, namely falling behind so early, then missing a penalty, then having a player sent off, but my team nevertheless kept pushing. This resilience is something that I have seen develop over the past months. Even after the equaliser and despite being a man down, they carried out pressing forward in search of the win. We aren’t just working with one another in this team but for one another and every single player clearly demonstrates that attitude.