2. Bundesliga 23/24 Season Preview: Hamburger SV
Another season, another disappointment for Hamburger SV who became the first team in the modern era to lose back-to-back relegation play-off battles. Unlike the 2:1 defeat to Hertha BSC the year prior, Hamburg were dismantled methodically by a Stuttgart side who drastically underachieved last season.
In most cases, we would applaud such consistency. Over the past five seasons Hamburg hasn’t finished lower than 4th, a small consolation as promotion still remains out of reach. Once again, Hamburg are running it back with the majority of the core from the 22/23 2. Bundesliga season is returning with several nice additions to help bolster a very strong squad.
Can Hamburg finally put to rest their promotion demons and return to the Bundesliga? Let’s take a look.
Team Details
Stadion (Capacity): Volksparkstadion (57,000)
Kit manufacturer: Adidas
Nicknames: Die Rothosen (The Red Shorts), Der Dino (The Dinosaur)
Coach: Tim Walter
Captain: Sebastian Schonlau
Signings & Departures
Signings: Guilherme Ramos (Arminia Bielefeld), Immanuel Pherai (Eintracht Braunschweig), Levin Öztunali (Union Berlin), Daouda Beleme (Hamburger SV II), Dennis Hadzikadunic (FK Rostov, loan), Stephan Ambrosius (Karlsruher SC, loan return), Marko Johansson (VfL Bochum, loan return), Robin Meißner (Viktoria Köln, loan return)
Departures: Xavier Amaechi (1. FC Magdeburg), Noah Katterbach (1. FC Köln, end of loan), Sonny Kittel (without club), Javi Montero (Besiktas, end of loan), Maximilian Rohr (SC Paderborn 07, loan made permanent), Daouda Beleme (FC Ingolstadt 04, on loan), Leo Oppermann (Arminia Bielefeld, on loan), Robin Meißner (Dynamo Dresden, on loan), Filip Bilbija (SC Paderborn 07)
Hamburg have identified a few key areas during this transfer window that needed bolstering. The obvious one was at centre-back. With Mario Vušković’s suspension still on-going and Jonas David failing to convince anyone he should start on this team. The brass at Hamburg brings in Dennis Hadžikadunić from FK Rostov on loan. The Bosnian international who spent last season with Malmö and Mallorca is joined by Guilherme Ramos from Arminia Bielefeld.
In addition to defensive help, Hamburg have beefed up the midfield and attacking options. Immanuel Pherai has produced two stellar seasons in Eintracht Braunschweig, and is arguably one of the signings of the summer. Pherai is a versatile option, he is at his best playing behind the striker, but in this system Pherai will thrive out on the left of an attacking three.
There is also a home-coming of sorts with the return of Levin Öztunali, the grandson of HSV legend Uwe Seeler has bounced around the Bundesliga. Now seeking regular first-team minutes, Öztunali has a real opportunity to play a pivotal role in Hamburg’s promotion push.
Sonny Kittel has been an admirable servant for Hamburg throughout the Walter era, but as Hamburg seeks to get better he was the odd man out.
Potential setup
When the 2. Bundesliga begins, all eyes will be on Hamburg when they face another German footballing giant in Schalke. Can they write the wrongs of previous seasons and does Tim Walter actually have a plan b?
In defence, Hadžikadunić was signed to start ahead of David and Ramos. Whether he can encapsulate a similar level to Vuskovic will be telling. Because when Hamburg had the Vuskovic and Schonlau pairing, they had one of the best defences in the 2. Bundesliga, and as they push for promotion they will need to be defensively stable.
The midfield mix worked well when Jonas Meffert played deep in midfield, with Netherlands U21 international Ludovit Reis and Laszlo Bénes were fantastic together and I can’t see Walter wanting to change this midfield mix. They can play Pherai there as well, but I’d rather him further up.
What Hamburg does with their attacking setup will be fascinating. Robert Glatzel will be the number one striker ahead of Andràs Nemeth, the Hungarian is their future and perhaps the following season it could be his position to claim. I’ve got Jean-Luc Dompé and Pherai playing out wide to start matchday one, but they still have Bakary Jatta, Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer along with new signing Öztunali.
Hamburg have options heading into their giant battle with Schalke, the question is what will provide a sustainable, balanced mix that will aid HSV this season.
Fan Perspective
With Hamburg hoping the sixth time is the charm, I wanted to know what the overall feeling was. So, I’ve asked the Dan from HSV News English to provide some context and what we could expect from Hamburg this season.
MK: What are your hopes for the upcoming season?
Dan: The goal in Hamburg always has to be promotion. Nothing else will wash with the fans and I'm hopeful we'll finally achieve that goal at the sixth attempt.
MK: Which summer signing are you most looking forward to seeing play?
Dan: Landing Immanuel Pherai from Eintracht Braunschweig for a reported fee of €750,000 was a coup for the club and I think every fan is excited to see him play. He took a huge leap forward in his development when he moved from BVB II in the 3.Liga to Braunschweig in the 2. Bundesliga last summer. If he stays healthy I believe he will flourish in Hamburg playing with a stronger supporting cast.
MK: Who is one player from Hamburg fans of the league should keep an eye on?
Dan: I'm a little worried he will not get enough minutes due to having so much competition in his position, but Anssi Suhonen is still a player I feel has the potential to be a breakout star if given a run of starts in the team. He had multiple impressive cameos last season where he came off the bench and his energy lifted the whole team.
MK: Fans should go to the Volksparktadion this season because?
Dan: The atmosphere at the Volksparkstadion is fantastic every week with over 55,000 attending most games. The team plays a style of football that is usually fun to watch, particularly in home matches. To top it off, if you go to a game you will be able to tell your future grandchildren you saw Miro Muheim play live.
MK: Where do you think Hamburg will finish this season?
Dan: My heart says top 2, but my head is saying we will find a way to finish 3rd or 4th again. Last season fell apart following the doping ban issued to Mario Vuskovic, and neither Jonas David nor winter signing Javi Montero were able to adequately replace him. How new signing Dennis Hadzikadunic performs in defense partnering Sebastian Schonlau will have a big impact on where we end up finishing.
Predictions
This is the last dance. Make no mistake about it.
For the likes of Walter, Jonas Boldt and players like Daniel Heuer Fernandes, Glatzel, Schonlau and Reis to name a few. It’s promotion or bust.
Hamburg has a great 2. Bundesliga squad, and year after year they continue to strengthen in areas of weakness. But when will they finally realise their potential and sustain a level of performance for 34 matchdays. I believe that Hamburg is a top three team, but they can ill afford another relegation play-off battle,
Come the 19th of May, will we celebrate Hamburg’s promotion at the sixth attempt, or question whether Hamburg will ever leave the 2. Bundesliga?