Loan player from Mainz: Richter imagined HSV’s start to be easier

On loan from Mainz 05

In the last transfer week of the summer, Marco Richter was one of three players at Hamburger SV alongside Emir Sahiti (25) and Lucas Perrin (25). The North Germans borrowed the 26-year-old offensive player from 1. FSV Mainz 05 without a purchase option. In an interview with “Mopo”, Richter admitted that he might have imagined his start with the second division club a little differently.

“I imagined it would be easier. I knew how great the quality is in the HSV squad. But I also knew what to expect and that I wouldn’t come here as an irreplaceable ex-Bundesliga player who always plays. “I had to sink my teeth into it and keep pushing every day,” said the Friedberger.

Richter has played 201 minutes for HSV so far, spread across four teams in the second division. However, the 176-time Bundesliga professional (Hertha, Augsburg, Mainz) has not yet managed to score a point. The quality in the House of Commons “already” surprised him. “There are names in the second division that don’t belong here. The quality is top, the stadiums are always full and the fans are great. But I didn’t underestimate that either. I knew it would be brutal in this league.”

FCA, BSC, M05
Richter’s career in numbers
This way!

Richter once played for the German U21 and U20, and he was also part of the 2021 Olympic team. The right-footer reached the highest market value of his career in the fall of 2019 in the FC Augsburg jersey with 10 million euros – today it is 2 million euros valued. “For me there is still more in it, of course. No matter which club: it’s never optimal. It was never all uphill for me. I thought I could get back into the Bundesliga with Mainz, but that didn’t work out at all. “Now I want to live in the here and now, get everything out of myself,” emphasized Richter. His contract with the Zero Fives runs until June 2027.

In the HSV forum at Transfermarkt, Richter’s achievements have so far met with little enthusiasm. “But I have to stand, even though there is still a lot of room for improvement, as I saw him improve a step yesterday (in the 3-0 win in Düsseldorf on matchday 8; editor).” “He has the duels in the center accepted and also won many,” wrote user “Starfox”. “Since he had very little practice before he joined us, I would still advocate not writing him off yet.” I think Richter is slowly getting back on track and can still be very important in the long term, especially since Adam (Karabec; editor) has now had some aches and pains and Pherai is unfortunately completely out of character.”

Richter himself also sees untapped potential: “The coach said that I need to stay a little calmer in front of the goal.” I think I sometimes put too much stress on myself when I appear in front of the goal. I feel confidence and will therefore help with goals and assists. That’s probably why there’s still a small blockage in my foot,” he said with a laugh. “Of course you pick up criticism, but that’s part of it.” I’m a mental person, but I can handle criticism well.”