For those who solely take a look at the desk, you may assume that issues are working with moderately stable normality within the cool north of Germany: HSV, newly promoted, sits respectably in thirteenth place, whereas Werder Bremen, after a turbulent summer season break, is in ninth.
After all, there have been instances when a northern derby occurred underneath extra glamorous circumstances. For instance, when the Purple Shorts and the Inexperienced-Whites have been battling for the standing of the Bundesliga’s second energy behind FC Bayern within the mid-2000s. However there have additionally been worse instances—key phrase: second-division derbies through the Corona period.
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However those that look extra intently will spot a uncommon phenomenon. The hated rivals at the moment share extra similarities than they might in all probability like. To place it in usually North German phrases: each attacking strains this season are as innocent as a seagull on a fish sandwich food plan.
So earlier than the primary Bundesliga northern derby since 2018, the query arises: Which diamond will discover its approach out of the doldrums first?
Large Names, Large Disappointments
Each conventional golf equipment are affected by the identical downside: they’ve strikers who hardly rating. HSV’s traditional quantity nines have managed simply two targets this season. Ransford Königsdörffer contributed one, Robert Glatzel the opposite.
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At Werder, issues look even bleaker: Keke Topp and Victor Boniface are nonetheless ready for his or her first purpose. Tellingly, Bremen’s most harmful scorer is midfield engine Jens Stage with 4 targets. No marvel then that no different place is being mentioned as a lot among the many followers of each golf equipment.
Each northern groups began the season with a daring plan. Each HSV and Werder signed a striker who, underneath regular circumstances, in all probability wouldn’t have been of their value vary. One is known as Yussuf Poulsen, the opposite Victor Boniface.
Two huge names, two huge hopes, two a minimum of related tales. Each have been solely obtainable as a result of accidents had slowed them down. Each needed to get their careers again on observe in a brand new atmosphere. And but, each nonetheless have zero targets to their names.
The scenario is very irritating at HSV: Poulsen nonetheless can’t get going, has already been injured thrice since his arrival, and as of early December, has simply 183 Bundesliga minutes underneath his belt.
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Boniface, alternatively, is generally match to play, however hardly ever sharp. The administration initially spoke cautiously of “lower than optimum health,” and later, ‘Bild’ even reported weight issues. As well as, he apparently doesn’t at all times welcome the coaching content material. In brief, the supposed saviors haven’t but supplied the hoped-for assist.
As Proficient as Unfortunate
However the at the moment favored strikers—Königsdörffer at HSV and Topp at SVW—are battling related issues. They’re younger, gifted, promising, however not but able to shoulder the burdens of a Bundesliga assault on their very own.
Königsdörffer has solely scored as soon as to date and has in any other case had numerous unhealthy luck with disallowed targets, pictures off the bar, or a missed penalty.
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Topp, alternatively, was hit twice just lately: two targets have been disallowed by the video assistant. It’s comprehensible that that is irritating. “It pisses me off, it annoys me,” Topp stated brazenly. “It doesn’t fully cross me by. But when I tense up, nothing will work.” You possibly can hardly describe the scenario extra truthfully.
However the coaches proceed to face by their younger hopefuls. Werder coach Horst Steffen commonly praises Topp: “He’s enhancing, has fewer turnovers, which retains our recreation flowing.”
HSV coach Polzin says related issues about Königsdörffer: he’s necessary for the crew’s established possession play at instances, his runs in behind and his work off the ball are extremely valued by the crew.
📸 Maja Hitij – 2025 Getty Photographs
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Will the Strikers Break Their Drought within the Derby?
Regardless of all of the tactical arguments, there’s a reality in soccer that’s about as laborious as Tim Wiese’s “legendary” kung-fu kick towards Ivica Olić: ultimately, strikers are measured by targets.
Nobody actually wants any extra stress. However at HSV, it got here anyway. The long-overlooked Robert Glatzel, who had pushed Königsdörffer to the bench towards Stuttgart, promptly scored to make it 1-0, however was injured shortly afterwards and is now out till the top of the yr. This implies: Königsdörffer now has a digital assure of taking part in time, however he completely has to ship. Possibly that’s precisely the chance he wants?
As a result of the timing might hardly be extra explosive: the 109th Bundesliga northern derby is arising. Followers have waited seven and a half years to face off once more within the prime flight. The rivalry has been boiling for weeks, and on the pitch, two struggling strikers will face one another. Königsdörffer on one aspect, Topp on the opposite—a Werder homegrown and native of Bremervörde, who has at all times dreamed of scoring towards the unloved rival from the extra northern Hanseatic metropolis. Certainly one of them might turn into a hero. And all of the earlier issues can be swept away in a wave of euphoria.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 Selim Sudheimer – 2025 Getty Photographs