Polzin fights despite historic winless run against Cologne – new contracts until 2029

Cologne duel HSV coach Polzin: In the Volkspark the duel is imminent, HSV coach Merlin Polzin must, despite a historic poor start – zero points and 0:12 goals after three matchdays – prepare the team for the home game against 1. FC Cologne. The officials have already promised new contracts until 2029 to secure the turnaround.

Trust in Polzin and new contracts

The officials in the Volkspark rely on the qualities of the 35-year-old coach and have offered him and his coaching staff new contracts until the year 2029. This confidence is intended to strengthen the back of Polzin, so that he can overcome the current crisis. The decision was made despite the historically poor record of the team.

Outlook on the duel against Cologne

Against the Goats, HSV has lost only once in the last seven league matches, which increases the chances of a goal result against Cologne. Polzin emphasizes that a goal against 1. FC Cologne is likely. The upcoming home game next Saturday is intended to launch the desired upswing.

Defensive weaknesses and missing clean sheet

Under FC coach René Wagner, HSV had to concede a goal in each of the last eleven Bundesliga matches. Taking into account the period of predecessor Lukas Kwasniok, the club has never kept a clean sheet in the last 17 games. This defensive weakness contrasts with the desire for a turnaround.

The season also started goalless for the Reds, with the first goal arriving only after three matchdays, followed by a 2-1 win over Heidenheim. Polzin hopes that a similar pattern will repeat before the upcoming international break.

In the training camp, Mario Vuskovic, the 24-year-old newcomer, showed renewed euphoria, but he is still not allowed to start in the Bundesliga. At the same time, the 27-year-old Belgian Sebastiaan Bornauw is unavailable on Saturday due to ongoing muscular problems. “Seb will not make it to the match. He still has muscular issues. They have already improved during the week. He will definitely train with the squad again soon,” Polzin explained.

Polzin delivered positive news about the 19-year-old winger Alexander Røssing‑Lelesiit, who has been out since the end of January due to a syndesmosis ligament rupture. “Alex is in rehabilitation training, but he has already been able to take part in some sessions with the squad, which is very positive after the long period of absence,” Polzin said.

HSV’s history records only two worse starts: FC Schalke 20/21 and Fortuna Düsseldorf 1986/87, both without points and with 0:12 goals. With the new contracts and the current news, the team hopes to correct the historic record and move forward again before the XL international break.