HSV's hottest battle begins against Lyon

Wants to oust promotion hero Daniel Heuer Fernandes: Bayern loanee Daniel Peretz. IMAGO/HMB-Media

Daniel Peretz has been in Hamburg since Monday. On Tuesday, the loanee from FC Bayern trained with his new teammates for the first time, and on Saturday he will make his first appearance for HSV. And that's exactly what the 25-year-old Israeli wants to do, as permanently as possible. Not just in friendlies. In Munich, he was only allowed to play in seven competitive matches in two years. "Of course I want to be number 1," he says, and asks: "Who doesn't?" Heuer Fernandes , there's no doubt about it, wants it too.

In a squad where changes are looming in almost every key position, the goalie position is the most hotly contested. The 32-year-old top dog was an absolute guarantee for promotion, is a crowd favorite and a leader in the dressing room, and has also had a strong preseason so far, including a truly brilliant performance in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat in Graz. It was precisely the same day that his new rival flew into the Hanseatic city – a sign that Heuer Fernandes can handle the competition.

The situation isn't entirely unfamiliar to the German-Portuguese. In 2020, a year after his move from Darmstadt to Hamburg, Sven Ulreich , a competitor from Munich, arrived, who, despite a strong start to the season, was clearly preferred over him due to his status. Now, the decision-makers assure us, there's a sporting duel for the starting spot.

The fact that Peretz is so vocal about his ambitions is a clear indication that he's received signals that he has a real chance of getting a spot in goal. "There are never guarantees in life, but I want to play and I work hard every day for it," he says, while explaining that he's fighting for his spot, not against his rival. "We goalkeepers are always colleagues. I'm always friendly with the entire goalkeeping group. We work together every day, even off the pitch. That's why it's important that we have a good energy within our group and maintain it. I'm a positive guy."

Peretz's loan deal doesn't include a purchase option, meaning that as of now, the Israeli national team goalkeeper will return to FC Bayern Munich on July 1, 2026, meaning the contracts of both potential first-choice goalkeepers will end next summer. From his perspective, this is an almost optimal starting position for the newcomer. "Anything is possible in a year. The options are on the table and they're good. I'm not thinking too much about the season after next." Because where he plays depends largely on whether he plays in this one. "We can see what it will be like here."

Peretz's optimism that things will turn out well for him seems high. "I've felt warmth and a sense of family in the first few days. I'm sure I'll be very happy." His happiness, however, depends largely on who wins the duel for the HSV goal, which officially begins against Lyon.