Merlin Polzin Tactics At HSV 2025/2026: Defensive Discipline For Bundesliga Survival – Tactical Analysis

For the longest time in Bundesliga history, there was only one club that played every single possible matchday in the German top flight, Hamburger Sportverein (HSV).

The club has managed to win numerous titles throughout its history, particularly in the 1980s.

Overall, HSV can look back at six Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokal victories, and even winning the European Cup, the predecessor to the UEFA Champions League, once in 1983.

After those successful times, the club remained one of the best in German football, but failed to win major trophies going forward.

Still, as the only side never relegated from the Bundesliga, HSV became a legendary club and is regarded as one of the giants of German football to this day.

For their longevity in the league, they are often called „Die Unabsteigbaren“ or „Der Dino“ (the dinosaur).

Things started to spiral in the late 2000s, and it hit them like a truck in the 2010s.

Since 2010, the club has had 24 different managers, had to play in the relegation play-off twice, and barely escaped relegation until 2018, when they were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga.

Ever since, the club has tried to earn their way back to the top flight, but came short for the longest time, finishing fourth (the first place out of chance of promotion) four times in six years and losing the promotion play-off the other two years.

In 2025, following a decisive home win against SSV Ulm, they finally secured promotion back to the Bundesliga after a seven-year absence.

Following another coaching change, 34-year-old Merlin Polzin took over the team in November 2024 and immediately guided them back to success with his tactical approach.

After five matches in the Bundesliga, their comeback has been somewhat rocky.

They have only won one game and scored two goals.

In this HSV tactical analysis, we will examine Merlin Polzin tactics in Hamburg, how they are approaching their first season back in the Bundesliga, and where they need to improve if they want to survive the relegation battle this season.

Adapting Their Plan In Possession

Looking at HSV over the last couple of seasons, they had a very clearly defined role in the 2. Bundesliga.

They were the team to beat; they needed to excel in possession, and they played against a low block most of the time; therefore, they have adopted a very possession-based style of football over the last couple of years.

Merlin Polzin was not different in that regard.

After taking over last season, he maintained the clubs 4-3-3 formation for multiple years and focused on a dominant playing style.

Things have changed for HSV and Polzin.

They are now underdogs in the Bundesliga, fighting to find a place in a very strong league.

Therefore, the young manager decided to change his mens possession strategy, and now the team takes a more defensive-minded and straightforward approach to the game.

Upon examining their approach, Polzin altered his backline from a back-four to a back-three after being promoted, opting for one more centre-back instead of an additional midfielder, which resulted in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

This allows his team to have a better presence in the backline and the box, because, unlike last year, they will no longer have the majority of possession.

In fact,