After the blunders of the competition, HSV can feel like a big winner of the 32nd matchday. With direct Bundesliga promotion back in sight, the Hanseatic League is trying to find the right balance between self-confidence and caution.
The Hamburgers are only one point behind in second place in the table, but the euphoria that arises is nipped in the bud: “We’ve been happy several times this season and then couldn’t quite build on our performances – and that’s why that’s the task now for the coming weeks,” said Captain Sebastian Schonlau to NDR.
HSV coach Tim Walter only let himself be elicited his mantra of the past few weeks: “We keep looking at ourselves, because that’s when we’re strongest.” Nevertheless, the 47-year-old was confident for the upcoming home game against Fürth on Saturday evening (8.30 p.m., in the NDR Livecenter): “We’ve got 57,000 behind us and we can feel that. That’s what takes us forward.”
Glatzel: “It’s a great starting position”
Attacker Robert Glatzel ventured a little further out of cover than his coach: “It’s a great starting position for us because we have nothing left to lose.” It felt like the direct ascent was “over umpteen times”, “but now we’re back. That must give us a push”. However, the coming 33rd matchday, which will not be played at the same time for the first time, has potential for pressure.
Leaders Darmstadt 98 (on Friday evening against Magdeburg) and second in the table Heidenheim (on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Sandhausen) can present themselves. HSV, which only plays on Saturday evening, would then be under pressure to win – otherwise direct promotion would be practically missed.
HSV and Sandhausen – was there something?
Should the trio complete the coming match day in step, at least Darmstadt would have been promoted – and HSV (in Sandhausen) and Heidenheim (in Regensburg) would then have a long-distance duel for second place on May 28th.
Like three years ago, when both teams were only one point apart on the last day of the game, but in third and fourth place. Heidenheim was defeated in Bielefeld, but HSV suffered an unexpected 1:5 home defeat against Sandhausen and had to cede the relegation rank to FCH.
HSV coach Walter: “Proudly swollen chest”
This time, however, the mood on the Elbe is different. A few weeks ago, HSV threatened to gamble away everything, but – also thanks to the blunders of the competition – found their way back on track. The victory in Regensburg was therefore not only balm for the HSV soul, but also caused a “proudly swollen chest”, as coach Walter explained after the game.
The self-confidence is appropriate, because Hamburg showed a furious performance, especially in the first half, and with 60 points they have now equaled their second division record from the previous season two games before the end. A place in the top three is practically certain with a six-point lead over fourth place.
Relegation a high hurdle for the second division
But even with the fourth participation in the relegation duels (twice as a first division team), HSV would not have achieved anything. In the past ten years, the second division team has only been able to beat the table 16 once. prevail in the Bundesliga – Union Berlin against VfB Stuttgart. Overall, the balance is 18:6 in favor of the first division.
Last year, HSV also had the bitter experience that even a Bundesliga team that was badly injured in sport can be too big a house number: Despite a 1-0 win in Berlin, the Hanseatic League lost 2-0 in the second leg against Hertha at their own stadium BSC. In this respect, the people of Hamburg are actually well advised to continue to stay “with themselves”.
This topic in the program:
sports club | 05/14/2023 | 11:05 p.m
