Miro Muheim on his rocket of a left foot, Hamburg and more
Miro Muheim has been Hamburg's unlikely matchwinner in recent weeks with stunning goals against Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart. The Bundesliga caught up with the Switzerland international left-back to discuss his now famous left boot, life at HSV under Merlin Polzin and more.
Bundesliga: Miro, you are the man of the hour at HSV with those two last-minute goals against Hoffenheim and Stuttgart. What was going through your mind after those two extremely important strikes?
Miro Muheim: "Yes, those were incredibly beautiful moments. After, I believe, a rather difficult phase with the injury as well, and then to be able to help the team like that. Yes, the moment was of course very special, especially scoring the decisive goal here in front of the North Stand. That was very special and fun."
Watch: Muheim's winner against Stuttgart
Bundesliga: How do you explain your quality in the final minutes?
Muheim: "It's hard to say. I simply tried to be there for the team and help. I know I have a good finish in me, and yes, in those moments, I just took the shot and hit the ball perfectly. And in the end, that's what comes out of it. Yes, it's hard to realise at the end as well, but those were two really beautiful moments."
Bundesliga: I'd like to focus on the first goal: 105 kilometers per hour. Take us through it. What was it like, how did you do it?
Muheim: "The ball dropped, I think, from the corner to me. I was considering whether to control it first, but there was no time for that. So I just hit it well and nicely into the corner. In the end, it went in beautifully, and we took the away win. That was a cool moment."
Bundesliga: And against VfB: 117 kilometers per hour. Take us through it.
Muheim: "It was a counterattack, and I was running along. To be honest, I didn’t have much strength left because the game had already cost a lot of energy. I gathered all my energy again and just took the shot. And yes, when you hit the ball, you notice when you hit it well, that it goes in like that. Of course, I couldn't plan that exactly, but yes, I know I have a good shot, and when I get the chance, I take it. And yes, you notice when it feels good, and I hit it very, very well."
Watch: Muheim on his thunderbolt against Stuttgart
Bundesliga: You can feel it yourself, I can still feel it. There is a certain tingling sensation still there. How do you feel now?
Muheim: "I still like watching the goal and also the feelings that came up afterward. That was beautiful and still is. But now the focus is on the next game."
Bundesliga: What was the atmosphere like after the final whistle, and in the North Stand?
Muheim: "Unbelievable. I think our fans are always there, no matter if we lose at home or have a bad performance. The atmosphere was incredible."
Bundesliga: How do you see the power of the Volkspark and the HSV fans in general?
Muheim: "They definitely make a difference. As players, we feel the energy on the pitch that is created. It pushes us until the end, and due to this energy, such things happen. I mean, it’s not the first time we’ve scored a late winning goal at home or drawn late. So, they really make a big difference."
Bundesliga: How much strength, how much power do these goals, these moments give personally? How much confidence?
Muheim: "It definitely gives me a lot, absolutely. Of course, I think it would give anyone a lot of energy. And I just try to keep going, keep pushing hard and try to help the team as best as I can. Of course, it can't be expected that I do that every week, but I try to be there for the team in every moment."
Watch: Muheim completes late HSV comeback at Hoffenheim
Bundesliga: Head coach Merlin Polzin plays a very important role for the club. How do you see him? And how important is he for HSV?
Muheim: "I think he is doing well. Even after the tough start, he stayed calm, or the whole club stayed calm. We kept working on the details. We knew what we had to improve, and we went into training to work on that. That’s why I think it’s no coincidence that we came back and stabilised ourselves."
Bundesliga: What is Merlin Polzin like when things aren’t going well, in difficult phases? Does he change?
Muheim: "No, as I said, he stays calm, just like all of us. Even if there’s some external pressure or some hectic outside, it doesn’t unsettle us. We just keep working calmly on the details. So, we stay very factual and calm and keep working well."
Bundesliga: How did the team implement the turnaround after three defeats and 12 goals conceded?
Muheim: "I think we were aware from the start it wouldn’t be easy. We had many new players who joined late, many missed preseason. There needed to be some connection built on the pitch and off it. We were aware it takes time to get to know each other. Now that's working better and better."
Bundesliga: Did Merlin Polzin’s contract extension have something to do with the turnaround?
Muheim: "Could be. I don’t know. The work itself wasn’t particularly influenced by that. Not much changed there. But of course, it’s easier for coaches if they know the club relies on them and trusts them. Then they can work more calmly. So, that might have helped."
Bundesliga: You came back injured from the World Cup, took some time to get fit again. Have you also shown with these two important goals how valuable you are for HSV, especially with regard to summer 2027, when your contract runs out?
Muheim: "Yes, definitely. I try every day and every week to show that I am valuable for HSV. That has worked out very well now. Yes, it’s simply my job to deliver performance week after week. At the moment, my contract runs out. What happens next, we’ll see."
Bundesliga: How would you describe yourself and your playing style on the pitch? Including of course your left foot...
Muheim: "That’s a good question. I mean, I am a player who likes to play with the ball, spark the attack, help in build-up play. Yes, of course, I have a good left foot. I like to get into crossing situations where I can deliver balls in or take shots. That’s what I try to bring in."
Bundesliga: Nikolai Remberg suffered a serious injury, an ACL tear, against Hoffenheim. Have you recently spoken with him? How is he doing? And how difficult is it to replace him in the long term?
Muheim: "I think he is doing quite well considering the circumstances. He has great mentality. I believe he will definitely come back stronger. Replacing 'Rambo' like for like is not possible. He is and was still an incredibly important player for us. But I believe we have many good guys who now get or have gotten their chance. For example, Bilal [Nadir] showed at the weekend what he can do. There are others waiting to show what they can do on the pitch. So, I believe we can withstand that as a team together, even if it hurts."
Bundesliga: HSV seem to have a number of cornerstones like you and Daniel Heuer Fernandes, who were there through promotion. How do you see that yourself?
Muheim: "Definitely. We have some experienced players who know not to let outside influences affect them, to stay calm. And we try to pass that on to the other players as well. I think the whole club does this very well. I believe a lot has been learned from the past. And yes, we stay calm and keep working. But now the focus is already on the next game."
Bundesliga: You have been living in Hamburg for over five years now. How's it for you?
Muheim: "I really like it. It’s a beautiful city. I come from Zurich. You can make many comparisons. Lots of water. Yes, of course, there is the harbour, which we don’t have. That's a beautiful part of the city for sure. But there are many facets I like a lot about the city."
Bundesliga: How do you spend time in the Hanseatic city with friends in your free time?
Muheim: "I like going to the city centre. I like being at the [River] Alster when the weather is nice. I like dining out. There are many good restaurants in Hamburg. There are also many cultural offerings that I go to."
Bundesliga: What is HSV for you? How would you describe the club's DNA?
Muheim: "I think we have become very resilient, especially over all those years in Bundesliga 2. Those were not easy years for the fans and the whole club. But I believe in that time we also grew closer together. The whole club, the fans, it truly has a feeling of togetherness. And it was, or is, wonderful to see this development over the years that I have been here."
Bundesliga: You play Paderborn next. Four wins in a row were last achieved by HSV under Bruno Labbadia 17 years ago. How do you have to play to win again?
Muheim: "As I said, we now have to not forget these last three games but keep working hard this week and prepare well for Paderborn. I think they are a good team and very hard to play against, especially away. It won’t be an easy match. So, just full focus on the next game and full throttle again."
