"It will take some time": HSV returns with radical change and a lesson

HSV's management knows that their first Bundesliga season in seven years won't be easy. They've already experienced just how difficult it can be in tests. Where does the road lead? They've already learned one thing from relegation: humility.

Feel goosebumps once more, experience the euphoria once more, endure emotional states of emergency once more: A few days before the start of the Bundesliga, the HSV promotion heroes were able to immerse themselves in the past year and a half with all its ups and downs through the documentary "Always Hamburg" in a cinema at Hamburg's Dammtor - and the new players of the returning first division team got a glimpse of the power of the club they now play for.

The current situation around the Volksparkstadion, ahead of the first Bundesliga game after seven years in the second division, is far more sobering. Before Sunday's match (5:30 p.m./DAZN, ntv.de live ticker, and highlights on RTL+ ) against Borussia Mönchengladbach, the question arises: Will this be enough for Hamburger SV?

One thing is clear: newly promoted HSV is different from relegated HSV. Ultimately, the 2018 crash was the logical consequence of a multitude of poor decisions, overestimation, and vanity. HSV 2025 presents a different picture. In seven years of relegation to the second division, the club has consolidated financially, membership has grown from around 80,000 to 130,000, the stadium is usually sold out with 57,000 spectators, and yet sporting realism prevails. It seems as if the club has learned modesty and humility.

"We take a lot with us"

None of those in charge are under the illusion that this season is about more than staying in the league. Therefore, head coach Merlin Polzin and sporting director Stefan Kuntz are already trying to prevent frustration among the fans. "HSV is here to stay," Kuntz said at the start of preseason in early July – well aware of how difficult that would be. That it could even be very difficult for HSV became clear in the following weeks.

A look at the preseason record, with five defeats and a goal difference of 2:14 against top-class opponents, and the difficult 2:1 win after extra time against Oberliga side FK Pirmasens in the DFB Cup, should have brought even the biggest dreamer among HSV fans back to reality. Polzin called the preseason "very instructive." After the poor performance in Pirmasens, he said: "We're taking a lot with us. Things we're learning from."

In their post-season analysis, Polzin and his coaching team realized that their 2. Bundesliga style of play meant they had little chance of relegating to the top flight. This led to a change in the playing system and a roster overhaul that resembled a gutting of the promotion-winning squad. Numerous heroes are gone—some voluntarily, some involuntarily, some are yet to leave. Others play only a minor role in Polzin's system. For example, the outstanding Ludovit Reis moved to Club Bruges. 22-goal scorer Davie Selke failed to find a footing at HSV and moved to Basaksehir FK in Istanbul. Loaned midfielder Adam Karabec now plays for Olympique Lyon.

"It will take some time"

Center forward Ransford Königsdörffer wanted to leave, but had to deal with the disappointment of the failed transfer to OGC Nice. His long-time partner in attack, Robert Glatzel, is expected to get less playing time. Bakery Jatta – the only remaining HSV player from the relegation season – has little chance of Bundesliga minutes and, like defender Silvan Hefti, is expected to leave. Longtime captain Sebastian Schonlau had already lost his starting place in the promotion season and no longer had a place in Polzin's plans for the Bundesliga season. The 31-year-old joined the Vancouver Whitecaps with World Cup winner Thomas Müller.

The departures are offset by arrivals like Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen, who was immediately named captain but isn't yet fit. And defender Jordan Torunarigha (KAA Gent), who stood out less for his performance than for his red card in the friendly against Mallorca. Attacker Rayan Philippe (Eintracht Braunschweig) still needs to find his feet, while Nicolas Capaldo (RB Salzburg) is expected to bring order to the defensive midfield. Daniel Peretz, on loan from Bayern Munich, is fueling the competition with promoted goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes for the goalkeeping spot.

In addition, there are on-loan defenders Warmed Omari (Stade Rennes) and Giorgi Gocholeishvili (Shakhtar Donetsk). And the rebuilding work is far from over. A defender and a creative midfielder are being sought. Among the few promoted heroes with prospects of a regular starting place are full-back Miro Muheim, defensive partner Daniel Elfadli, Jonas Meffert in defensive midfield, and attacking whirlwind Jean-Luc Dompé.

The personnel changes mean a new hierarchy has to be developed; the playing system hasn't yet been internalized. Were these measures too many for the project of staying in the league? "It will take a while until everything falls into place," Kuntz said after the game in Pirmasens. "It will be a process that will require a lot of patience. It won't be over next week; it will continue for a while." But time and patience will be in short supply in the Bundesliga with kickoff on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.