Football Season Guide

Hamburger SV

In


Ignace Van der Brempt (def) RB Salzburg - on loan; Dennis Hadzikadunic (def) FK Rostov - on loan; Immanuel Pherai (mid) Eintracht Braunschweig; Levin Oztunali (mid) Union Berlin; Guilherme Ramos (def) Arminia Bielefeld; Stephan Ambrosius (def) Karlsruher SC - end of loan; Marko Johansson (gk) VfL Bochum - end of loan;

Out


Sonny Kittel (mid) (r) released; Filip Bilbija (mid) (sp) SC Paderborn; Javi Montero (def) (sp) Besiktas - end of loan; Noah Katterbach (def) (sp) FC Koln - end of loan; Maximilian Rohr (def) SC Paderborn; Xavier Amaechi (att) FC Magdeburg; Daouda Beleme (att) FC Ingolstadt - on loan; Leo Oppermann (gk) Arminia Bielefeld; Robin Meißner (att) Dynamo Dresden;

Promotion once again eluded Hamburger last time out as they fell to a play-off defeat for a second consecutive season. It was a familiar story to many recent campaigns with the club unable to sustain an automatic promotion push and falling at the final hurdle. Coach Tim Walter will be given another chance to lead his side towards the ultimate goal but the competition is now stronger with Schalke and Hertha coming down from the Bundesliga. However, no longer being favourites for promotion, could work in their favour. The absence of defender Vuskovic due to a doping ban took its toll on Hamburger last term so reinforcements were needed. Ramos from Bielefeld and loan signings Hadzikadunic and van der Brempt should provide more strength in depth to the backline. Hamburger should again be a force going forward, especially with the addition of young talent Pherai from Eintracht Braunschweig. The attacking midfielder is likely to thrive alongside the already-established Jatta, Glatzel, and Dompe. Kittel is the only significant departure so far but new recruit Oztunali brings a wealth of experience to the midfield, having played in the Bundesliga for many years.

Target


Hamburger certainly have the squad to compete at the top so expect them to be in the mix yet again. The ability to produce the goods at the business end of the season is likely to be the difference in finally achieving their goal of promotion.