Nicolás Capaldo
HSV
CB
Ball-Playing Centre Back
Sep 14, 1998 (27)
Right
5'10"
165 lb
Hamburger SVCleared for Dortmund clash
Capaldo is available for Saturday's Bundesliga opener against Borussia Dortmund after overcoming a minor hip issue, according to coach Merlin Polzin. "The rest are ready and full of energy and power for the trip to Dortmund."
Analysis: Capaldo raised some concern after being forced off in the 75th minute of the DFB-Pokal win over Verl while appearing to favor his hip, but the issue has proven minor. manager Merlin Polzin has now confirmed the defensive midfielder is ready for the trip to Dortmund, putting him in contention to retain his starting role for Saturday's league opener.
Returns in DFB-Pokal
Capaldo (undisclosed) is in the starting lineup for Monday's DEB-Pokal clash against Verl.
Analysis: Capaldo is in the starting lineup for this clash, confirming that the issue he was dealing with earlier in the preseason was indeed a minor injury. Capaldo should be a regular for Hamburger in the 2026/27 season regardless of whether he plays as a center-back or central midfielder.
Back in team training
Capaldo returned to team training Wednesday after missing the friendly against Toulouse FC due to minor issue and is expected to be available for Monday's DFB-Pokal opener against SC Verl, according to Mopo.
Analysis: Capaldo felt muscular tightness before last weekend's friendly against Toulouse FC and was withheld as a precaution, with no serious injury emerging afterward. He returned to team training Wednesday and should remain on track for the DFB-Pokal opener against SC Verl on Monday as long as he does not experience any further issues.
Precaution, expected back Wednesday
Capaldo sat out Friday's 2-1 win over Toulouse as a precaution after feeling muscle tightness before kickoff, according to Mopo.
Analysis: Capaldo had originally been planned to start, but he and the coaching staff decided not to take any unnecessary risk once he felt the tightness pregame. Further examinations are possible at the start of the week, but everything currently points to him having reacted in time to avoid a more serious issue. If the recovery stays on schedule, he's expected back for training Wednesday, positioning him to be fully available for the DFB Pokal opener at SC Verl on Aug. 24.
Late scratch against Toulouse
Capaldo has been removed of the starting lineup against Toulouse and will be sidlined short-term due to a muscular problem, according to the club.
Analysis: Capaldo returned from a thigh injury last week and started against Lille, but he has now been removed from the lineup against Toulouse due to a short-term muscular problem. The latest issue is not expected to keep him out for an extended period, though he will likely need to recover from the muscular complaint and resume training before being considered for another appearance.
Starts in friendly clash
Capaldo (thigh) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's friendly against Lille, the club posted.
Analysis: Capaldo had started training individually after being deemed not to have suffered a major injury, and his return to the starting XI confirms he has fully recovered from the issue. His inclusion is a positive sign following the earlier scare, and he now looks set to continue building match fitness as Hamburg's preseason continues ahead of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign.
Joins individual training
Capaldo (thigh) has started to train individually, according to Tim Meinke of Mopo.de.
Analysis: Capaldo was already deemed not to have suffered a major injury and is now back on the training pitch, although he was only training on his own. This should leave him ready to join team training again soon, a good turn after he appeared to suffer an injury in a friendly. He will look to return when they play Toulouse in another friendly on Saturday.
No prolonged absence expected
Capaldo (thigh) was forced off in the eighth minute of Saturday's friendly against Everton with a precautionary substitution, but no prolonged absence is expected, according to coach Merlin Polzin, per Hamburger Abendblatt.
Analysis: Capaldo made 26 Bundesliga appearances last season in his debut campaign with Hamburger, contributing one goal and three assists after joining from Salzburg, and was among the first names in the lineup when healthy. His early withdrawal is a minor scare to monitor, though the club's cautious framing suggests he should be back in training shortly as preseason continues.
Logs assist
Nicolas Capaldo assisted once to go with three shots (two on goal), one cross (one accurate) and three chances created in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Bayer Leverkusen. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 78th minute.
Analysis: Capaldo was able to create three chances on Saturday, generating an assist on one of them. He had a solid season at Hamburger but will look to add more goals to his resume after logging just one this season.
Finds starting role
Capaldo (back) is in the starting XI for Saturday's clash against Leverkusen.
Analysis: Capaldo overcame the slight back pain that had left his availability uncertain ahead of the season finale, with the coaching staff clearing one of the first names on Hamburger's lineup to take his place despite the concerns that had emerged in the days prior. The Argentine, who has been named to his country's preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, has been a key figure across multiple roles this season, contributing one goal, two assists, 67 tackles, 35 interceptions and 61 clearances in 25 appearances. His ability to come through the final assessment in time is a welcome development for a side heading into the last game of what has been a crucial campaign.
Dealing with back injury
Capaldo is dealing with a back injury and is uncertain to play in Saturday's season finale against Leverkusen, according to assistant manager Loic Fave. "Capi has slight back pain. We'll have to see how it develops in the coming days."
Analysis: Capaldo, who has been named to Argentina's preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, is among the first names on Hamburger's lineup when healthy. Able to play either as a center-back or central midfielder, Capaldo has one goal, two assists, 67 tackles, 35 interceptions and 61 clearances in 25 appearances (23 starts) in 2025-26.
Select Player
Search and select a player to compare