"Win the game with the support of our fans"

Hamburger SV are preparing for another match under the floodlights this weekend, as they host Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday (8th March, 20:30 CET). Robert Glatzel and Immanuel Pherai could make the matchday squad, as revealed during Thursday's pre-match press conference. Head coach Merlin Polzin also spoke about the importance of the match, his team's approach and how they analysed last weekend's defeat – the first during his tenure. Read on for all the key quotes from Polzin on…

…the transition between last weekend's defeat and Saturday's home game: We don't just analyse our games based on the result, but also on the nature of the performance. In this regard, I have to say that I'm impressed with how we've dealt with the Paderborn game. The team were extremely self-critical. The coaching staff analysed the game on our journey back from Paderborn before doing the same with the team the next day, and the team then showed a good mix of self-criticism and fresh energy during training this week. The team are excited for this weekend's clash and we're looking forward to seeing the floodlights turn on again at the Volkspark on Saturday night. 
"We have been able to come up with some solutions for Düsseldorf's intense brand of defence and have spent most of this week working on our approach."

…facing Fortuna Düsseldorf and former HSV coach Daniel Thioune: It's a very special game for both Daniel and myself. We spent a lot of time together, gathering experience first as academy coaches at VfL Osnabrück and later with the first team there and then in Hamburg. He helped me a lot, both as a young coach and man, and I was able to learn a lot from him. From this working relationship, a friendship has grown. We're still in touch regularly, just not this week. I'm looking forward to seeing him against, but outside of that the focus is on the game, which both teams want to win. That's what it's about and it's what we're clearly focused on. 

…Fortuna Düsseldorf: We're up against a team with a lot of individual quality. That starts with a modern goalkeeper at the back, followed by a compact centre-back pairing and then a midfield that enjoys having the ball, and their attack. Düsseldorf are extremely compact as a team and defend hard, making it difficult for their opponents to find a way through to goal. We have been able to come up with some solutions for Düsseldorf's intense brand of defence and have spent most of this week working on our approach. As a result, we're feeling optimistic ahead of Saturday evening and are confident that we will be able to win the game, with the support of our fans.