Miro Muheim used the international break to rebuild fitness rather than join Switzerland. Hamburg’s left-sided defender has slipped to third in the current pecking order after a disrupted summer, but intends to fight for his place.
A summer that changed the picture
Muheim had hoped a strong World Cup would create options before the final year of his Hamburg contract. Instead, he was used mainly as a defensive substitute for Switzerland and no attractive move emerged.
- Sixteen-year-old Louis Lemke impressed during Muheim’s absence.
- Hamburg signed Norway World Cup player David Möller Wolfe on the final day of the transfer window.
- Muheim returned late for pre-season after the tournament and then sustained a muscle injury.
- Although fit again, he was not included in the squad for Hamburg’s 2-1 win over Cologne.
Wolfe is currently first choice on the left. Lemke is being developed carefully behind him. Muheim, long a regular at the club, must now work his way back.
Fitness work during the break
The first part of the international window has been devoted to closing Muheim’s physical gap after the World Cup, additional leave and his injury.
Assistant coach Loic Favé said at the start of last week that Muheim’s real preparation was only now beginning. The staff expected him to need several weeks to reach his normal fitness level.
Muheim said the uncertainty of the summer had made it difficult to focus fully on football. There was extensive reporting and speculation around his future, followed by an injury at an especially awkward moment.
Muheim plans to compete
The 27-year-old insists he remains committed to Hamburg. “I am here because I want to be here,” he said, adding that the club had also told him it wanted to keep him.
He is ready to accept the competition and wants to return to the pitch soon. His route back may not be limited to his usual left-back role.
- Muheim sees himself as an option on the left of a back three.
- He has played that position before, including under former coach Steffen Baumgart early in the 2024-25 campaign.
- After Merlin Polzin took charge and Hamburg temporarily returned to a back four, Muheim moved back to the flank.
- Since promotion to the Bundesliga, Polzin has again used a three-man defensive line.
That system offers Muheim another opening when Hamburg resume after the international break.
