Hamburg new boys hitting their stride against Mainz
After their heavy 5-0 defeat away in Munich, Hamburg appear to be gathering momentum, with their 4-0 home victory over Mainz signifying their third consecutive game unbeaten as well as their second consecutive clean sheet. This upswing in form is due in some part to Albert Sambi Lokonga, Rayan Philippe, and Luka Vušković, who have played key roles in their side's recent improvement.
Despite the persistent downpour in Hamburg on Sunday evening, both HSV players and fans - like the rain - were absolutely bouncing inside the Volksparkstadion in the aftermath of their 4-0 triumph over Mainz. It seemed that their 5-0 trouncing at the hands of Bayern Munich had acted as a wake-up call, as the Red Shorts defied their harshest critics.
Hamburg immediately bounced back from the Baywern reverse with a 2–1 home win against Heidenheim, before following that up with a hard-fought 0–0 draw away to Union Berlin, ahead of the impressive home victory over Mainz. These results indicate a clear stabilisation of what was a defensively vulnerable side, which is now more compact at the back and one which is takeing its chances clinically when they come.
Whilst defeat in Munich exposed defensive weaknesses - particularly in the backline's coordination with one another and the spaces left between midfield and defence, which Bayern exploited in the transitions - Merlin Polzin's team have systemtically improved upon these key issues and their collective discipline.
This improved defensive organisation became apparent against Heidenheim, and away to Union, they not only denied their opponents control of the game, but managed to shut them out completely to keep a clean sheet.
Against Mainz, HSV showed an attacking efficiency that had been missing earlier in the season, and crucially, they seem to have regained their strength and pace on the counter-attack - something they used to great effect in their promotion push last term.
Hugely talented 18-year-old centre-back Luka Vušković has been a key component in this upswing of form. The Croatian - on loan from Tottenham Hotspur - has shown assuredness and composure beyond his years, and even popped up with the opener against Heidenheim.
Alongside Vušković, Rayan Philippe has taken on a prominent role during this period, contributing three goals in total. His pace in behind and finishing ability give the attack a real cutting edge, particularly on the counter.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is another player who has also really caught the eye. After his move from England at the end of August, the coaching team around Polzin chose not to throw him straight into the deep end, instead favouring his former Arsenal teammate Fábio Vieira more recently.
However, following Vieira's dismissal against Union, Sambi Lokonga was handed his first start; an opportunity which he seized with both hands.
His presence in the centre gives HSV structure and he acts as a player to instigate the transitions. Fellow summer arrival Nicolai Remberg summed up his influence perfectly after the 4-0 win:
“He can really play. You saw that with the goal - he had the right instinct there. He turned superbly two or three times. The combination worked really well. Up front we’ve got lightning-fast players. That makes the difference.”
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