Merlin Polzin: “It’s a special football afternoon”

Fábio Vieira has been a great addition to Hamburg SV’s midfield, but the headline story was his two red cards until matchday 12. However, the Arsenal loanee finally scored his first Bundesliga goal when the club needed it the most as his injury-time strike ended their wait for a third league win.

"It was a very special football afternoon with many small stories,” said Merlin Polzin in his post-match interview. “We are all moving forward together. It makes me proud to see how our team is developing.

“We suffered and defended a lot against Stuttgart. We had our opponents under control in many phases. And, in the end, we used our opportunity efficiently.”

HSV will now turn their attention to the DFB-Pokal with a home tie against Holstein Kiel awaiting them on Wednesday. Their home streak will continue with the return of the long-awaited Nordderby in Bundesliga against Werder Bremen next Sunday.