Luka Vuskovic It didn’t take much playing time to convince the audience in Freiburg of his exceptional talent. HSV’s away game (1:2) had only been going on for a few minutes when the central defender, running backwards, extended a long ball with the back of his head into the arms of goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes, who had run out. Freiburg’s striker Lucas Höler had speculated on a back pass while sprinting, but the header was simply too good to be intercepted.
Kick-off – the Abendblatt newsletter for HSV
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It was once again a scene that only a few defenders in the Bundesliga can deliver. The Croatian, who is only 18 years old, has outstanding technique, an exceptional feel for the ball and an optimal header game that is second to none. In Freiburg, too, the loan from the Tottenham Hotspur club won 71 percent of the aerial duels. Over the entire season, Vuskovic is at around 81 percent, which is the highest value of all Bundesliga players.
Luka Vuskovic is becoming increasingly important for HSV
The defense chief leads the way as a leader – and is also the third-best goalscorer on his team. His opening goal in Freiburg, a header of course, was his third goal of the season. Only Rayan Philippe and Albert Sambi Lokonga (four each) were more successful at HSV.
Vuskovic has long since developed into a cornerstone in the fight to stay in the league. With his header he also ended HSV’s corner drought.
Luka Vuskovic (on the ground) heads HSV into the lead, Freiburg’s Lucas Höler comes too late on the goal line.
© WITTERS | HelgePrang
Vuskovic scores HSV’s first corner goal
Before the game, Hamburg were the only Bundesliga team not to have scored a corner goal. Although Vuskovic, who is strong in the air, is almost always the target player from set pieces, none of the 57 attempts after a stationary ball were successful. Until the Freiburg game, when the youngster was surprisingly free to head the ball and maneuvered the ball into the far corner. “We finally scored after a corner,” said coach Merlin Polzin happily.
HSV professional Vuskovic is threatened with a ban
But now Vuskovic is threatened with a break. He received his fourth yellow card in Freiburg and the next warning will result in him being suspended for one game. Since HSV still has 18 games to play this season, Polzin can prepare for the absence of his defensive player, who cannot be adequately replaced.
At Tuesday’s home game against Bayer Leverkusen, Vuskovic will be back in the starting eleven – and perhaps show things that only he can do.
