“We are looking forward to welcoming you to the Volksparkstadion soon. We are hugely looking forward to your visit,” Hamburger SV announced on social media, setting the stage for a unique reunion during the upcoming international break.

Mario Vuskovic will return to the pitch at the Volksparkstadion on November 15 to play for Hamburger SV against his former club, Hajduk Split, according to an official announcement from the club. The match, scheduled for a 3:00 PM kickoff, takes place one day before the defender turns 25 and directly follows the expiration of his doping suspension.

Hajduk Split Travels to Hamburg for Vuskovic Comeback Test

The fixture gives Vuskovic the chance to collect minutes in a test match, pitting the club against the Croatian side that served as his formative footballing home. Both Mario and his brother, Luka Vuskovic—now under contract with Brighton & Hove Albion in England—began their careers at Hajduk Split before making their respective moves. HSV structured the friendly specifically to celebrate the player whom the club refers to as a fan favorite.

Ticket pricing for the November 15 match references the player’s squad number, ranging from 10,44 Euro for standing areas to 25,44 Euro for category one seats. Tickets went on sale immediately for club members through the HSV online shop, with a general public sale scheduled to follow on Monday. Club officials anticipate strong attendance, mirroring a recent friendly against Danish side FC Kopenhagen on October 4 that drew more than 55,000 spectators to the Volksparkstadion during the previous international break.

National Team Absences Impact HSV Squad Depth

While the focus centers on Vuskovic’s return, head coach Merlin Polzin will manage a squad potentially depleted by international call-ups. Germany plays the Netherlands in Berlin on November 16, one day after the Hamburg friendly, following a Nations League fixture in Serbia on November 13.

During the prior international window, HSV released several players for national team duty, including Sander Tangvik and David Møller Wolfe for Norway, Albert Grønbæk for Denmark, Patson Daka for Zambia, Zakaria El Ouahdi for Morocco, Warmed Omari for Comoros, Otto Stange for the DFB-U20, and Louis Lemke for the DFB‑U19 team. Whether these players feature against Hajduk Split depends on their respective national team commitments.

Club Leadership Highlights Emotional Significance of the Fixture

HSV board member Eric Huwer emphasized the emotional weight of the upcoming match for the club and its supporters. “The entire HSV family has waited a long time for this day,” Huwer told club media. “I always wondered where to put my emotions when Mario eventually stands on the pitch again. This feeling is certainly shared by all HSVers who have felt, suffered, and fought with him in recent years. This friendly match is therefore dedicated above all to our fans and offers the opportunity to say thank you.”

Head coach Merlin Polzin echoed those sentiments regarding the atmosphere surrounding the team. “We are very happy that, after the football festival against Copenhagen, we can contest the next test match in a great atmosphere,” Polzin stated. “The close connection of the Vuskovic family to Hajduk Split is well known. That Mario may now welcome his hometown club in the Volkspark, and in the colors of the club where he has found a second home, means an incredible amount to him.”

Vuskovic’s immediate playing future beyond the friendly depends on his training progress over the coming weeks and his performance against Hajduk Split. Following the international break, HSV returns to competitive league action on November 22 with an away fixture against Bremen, at which point Vuskovic will be eligible to return to the squad.