"Overjoyed about..."
In the recent test match against Freiburg, Hamburger SV's goalkeeping position took centre stage as Daniel Peretz, on loan from Bayern Munich, was given the starting spot. The established number one, Daniel Heuer Fernandes, watched from the sidelines, but both keepers displayed their skills in a closely contested match that ended 1:5 in favour of Freiburg.
Peretz, who joined HSV to gain valuable playing time, impressed throughout his 70-minute stint, only conceding one goal. In contrast, Heuer Fernandes, who has been the club's first-choice since 2019 and played a crucial role in their Bundesliga promotion, conceded four goals during his equivalent time on the pitch.
HSV's coach, Merlin Polzin, has emphasized that the performance in this match will not decide the final goalkeeper choice. Polzin appreciates the competition between the two keepers, stating that they have different styles and that this competition is beneficial for the club. Heuer Fernandes remains confident, undeterred by the new challenge, while Peretz's loud direction of the defence, in both German and English, was noted by Polzin.
The balance of the match was considered bitter for Heuer Fernandes, but HSV's defence, which allowed only one shot on target in the first 70 minutes, performed admirably. Polzin highlighted the activity in the HSV goal, with Heuer Fernandes making four saves during the match, and Peretz having his volume in the second half.
As the training camp on Mallorca approaches, Polzin has made it clear that even minor mistakes made in the 2nd league may not be punished, but will be in the 1st league. This suggests a higher level of competition in the upcoming league campaign, and the coach has warned the defence to "learn very quickly from this" after the game.
The competition for the goalkeeper position reflects HSV's strategy of balancing experience and emerging talent as they strive to strengthen their squad. The official starter for the league campaign is yet to be decided, with the decision expected to be clearer around the cup match on August 16th. Until then, both keepers will continue to push each other, ensuring that HSV's goal remains a formidable force.
Daniel Peretz's impressive performance in the test match against Freiburg, despite being on loan from Bayern Munich, showcases his potential in European-league sports, specifically football. Huetar Fernandes, HSV's first-choice goalkeeper since 2019, is also demonstrating his skills in the goalkeeper competition, which mirrors HSV's strategy of blending experience with emerging talent in their pursuit of a strong squad, ready for European-league sports.
