Hamburg reflect on ‘stupid’ record of more red cards than wins in 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign
TL;DR
Hamburg has recorded more red cards than wins in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, prompting criticism from player Nicolai Remberg. The team remains in the relegation race after a recent loss to Werder Bremen.
Key points
- Hamburg has more red cards than wins in the 2025/26 season
- Nicolai Remberg criticized the team's discipline
- Hamburg remains in the relegation race with 31 points
- Philip Otele received a straight red card against Werder Bremen
- Bakery Jatta's red card was downgraded to yellow after VAR review
Mentioned in this story
Hamburg reflect on ‘stupid’ record of more red cards than wins in 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign
Hamburg’s Nicolai Remberg has commented on his team’s “stupid” track record with red cards this season. Ramberg’s Hamburger SV frittered away Saturday’s Bundesliga match against northern rivals Werder Bremen in large part due to attacker Philip Otele picking up a straight red with HSV down 2-1 against their hosts in the 79th-minute.
Hamburg nearly found themselves reduced to nine men when Bakery Jatta picked up a straight red in the 85th-minute. Match official Florian Exner opted to reduce Jatta’s punishment to a cautionary yellow after VAR review. This nevertheless wouldn’t be the end of the sending offs.
HSV assistant coach Loic Favé and a member of the team’s medical staff were also thrown off deep into injury time. The statistics are grim. Saturday’s loss also means that – on 31 points through 30 matchdays – Hamburg are still very in the relegation race.
Newly promoted Hamburg – who must pick up four points over the next four matchdays in order to meet the German top flight’s “safety threshold” – have now picked up more red cards (8) than wins (7) in the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign.
Remberg’s comments, of course, count as somewhat interesting in their own right. The summer signing from relegated Holstein Kiel picked up 11 yellow cards and two suspensions for his team last year. This season, he’s picked up 10 yellows and another two suspensions for HSV.
Nicolai Remberg rails over Hamburg’s disciplinary record
“We’ve strayed from how we want to play,” Remberg complained in the mixed zone. “Eight red cards is simply unacceptable. It’s unintelligent and stupid. Always having to chase the game while down a man costs energy. It’s crap. [Today’s] incident was pretty nasty. In general, I don’t understand how this keeps happening to us.“
Q&A
Why does Hamburg have more red cards than wins in the 2025/26 Bundesliga?
Hamburg's poor discipline, highlighted by multiple red cards in crucial matches, has contributed to their disappointing performance this season.
What impact do red cards have on Hamburg's relegation chances?
The accumulation of red cards has negatively affected Hamburg's performance, leaving them vulnerable in the relegation race with only 31 points from 30 matches.
Who was sent off in the recent match against Werder Bremen?
Philip Otele received a straight red card in the 79th minute, while Bakery Jatta was initially shown a red but was later downgraded to a yellow after a VAR review.
