Hamburg manager Merlin Polzin has hailed the defensive heroics of Super Eagles defender Jordan Torunarigha following a dramatic 3-2 victory over Union Berlin at the Volksparkstadion.

Torunarigha earned high praise for a crucial defensive intervention late in the first half, denying Union Berlin striker Andrej Ilic a clear goal-scoring opportunity after goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes misjudged a clearance.

The Nigerian international displayed remarkable determination, sprinting back to pressure Ilic and ultimately preventing him from getting the right contact on goal.

Hamburg quickly turned defense into attack, with a swift counter that allowed Argentine midfielder Nicolás Capaldo to score and give the hosts the lead going into halftime.

Speaking after the game, Polzin revealed that the performance spoke volumes about the Nigerian's mentality, noting that no striker would want Torunarigha "breathing down their neck."

"He created more pressure than he defended, but that definitely speaks volumes for Jordan and his mentality of making the run even when it seems hopeless," Polzin said as reported by Mopo. "You don't want that breathing down your neck."

The 28-year-old has been impressive this season, winning 66.67 percent of his duels, second only to Croatian defender Mario Vuskovic in the squad.

He has also completed 83 percent of his passes, matching Croatian defender Mario Vuskovic, and has recorded the most touches on the ball in the team, ranking only behind Luka Vuskovic, Miro Muheim, Daniel Heuer Fernandes, Nicolai Remberg, and Nicolás Capaldo.

Adeyemi Adewale