Hamburg Vs Rb Leipzig: Polzin vows ‘Wir werden smarte Lösungen finden müssen’ as Dankert named referee
The upcoming hamburg vs rb leipzig fixture is set for Sunday evening at 7: 15 p. m. ET in the Volksparkstadion, and HSV coach Merlin Polzin used his Friday press conference to outline squad availability and rotation plans while the DFB confirmed Bastian Dankert will referee the match.
Hamburg Vs Rb Leipzig: Dankert to take charge
DFB match officials for the game include referee Bastian Dankert, with René Rohde and Marcel Unger on the lines, Felix Bickel as fourth official, and Robert Schröder and Guido Kleve in the VAR booth; this will be Dankert's 18th appointment involving RB Leipzig after 17 prior encounters. In those previous matches he oversaw nine wins, five draws and three losses for the visitors, and his most recent RB outing ended 0: 0 away at Werder Bremen on the final matchday of last season, a result that confirmed RB missed the Champions League.
Polzin outlines squad status and home run target
Polzin stressed the team wants to extend an impressive run of seven unbeaten home games as they close out the 24. Spieltag, and confirmed two players are unavailable: Albert Grönbaek and Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit remain in rehabilitation and will not be ready for Sunday. He said the rest of his group are fit and ready for the Volksparkstadion assignment and emphasized the need to turn good performances into better results.
Coach leans on rotation and concrete plans
Facing an English week, Polzin spoke plainly about load management and tactical rotation, saying "Wir werden smarte Lösungen finden müssen" while noting the coaching staff has communicated internally about finding a rhythm in central defence to match specific match plans. He added that for a trainer the ability to substitute freely is a luxury and that selection will be made game by game as HSV aims to be at 100 percent to secure the points on Sunday.
The referee appointment once again brings attention to past matches: Dankert received a 3. 0 match rating for the 0: 0 in Bremen, where a non-awarded penalty for an incident between Bitshiabu and Ducksch at the 45th minute was described as debatable but within his discretion, and his handling of a high-profile BVB–Bayern clash in the first half of the season drew heavier criticism with a lower rating.
With Albert Grönbaek and Alexander Rössing-Lelesiit sidelined, Polzin said the squad of about 25 players gives him options for the immediate rotation he plans to use, and he reiterated that every Bundesliga match is both motivation and obligation to the fans as HSV prepares for kick-off.
The teams meet Sunday at 7: 15 p. m. ET in the Volksparkstadion to conclude the 24th matchday; the game will be covered live on HSVnetradio and match-day officials will be led on the field by Bastian Dankert.
