From BZ/dpa
Hertha can be saved on Sunday evening, despite the defeat against Mainz. But Felix Magath doesn’t want to speculate about that. The coach is pessimistic and talks openly about preparing for the relegation.
Fast help from FC Bayern Munich? Another chance next week at Borussia Dortmund? Felix Magath didn’t care about any of these options after the disappointing 2-1 draw against 1. FSV Mainz 05. The coach chosen to be the savior of Hertha BSC is already thinking of the worst possible case for the Berliners in the Bundesliga. “It was only enough for one defeat, that’s why it’s important for us to start preparing for the relegation today,” said Magath on Saturday evening.
In fact, this extremely cautious plan by the visibly frustrated Hertha coach on Sunday evening could be unnecessary. If FC Bayern wins against VfB Stuttgart, Hertha is saved, relegation and the unpopular showdown with the second division third would be avoided and the last day of the game with the game at runner-up BVB would be an excursion without sporting value.
But Felix Magath is planning ahead. That was his tactic in the past few weeks. He regularly badmouths and downplays his team. So it looks a bit better and bigger in reality. “As a professional who I consider myself to be, I’m preparing for the worst case scenario,” said the 68-year-old. In real terms, Hertha has a four-point lead over the 16th in the table. Stuttgart. Even with a sensation from Stuttgart in Munich, you would go into the last matchday with a lead.
Magath does not believe that his team, which obviously disappointed him against Mainz, would be able to win in Dortmund. “I have no idea how they judge football. We’re playing against the second in the table, we’re 15th in the table,” Magath snapped at a questioner. According to the Magath logic, however, the table leaders FC Bayern must then win against the 16th from Stuttgart and all the purposeful pessimism of the coach would be waste.
Nevertheless, Magath took action first. Three days off intended for relegation were cancelled. On Sunday morning at 9 a.m. the Hertha pros will have breakfast together. Training begins at 10:30 a.m. It has to be worked.
Neither Magath nor his leader Kevin-Prince Boateng thought of a joint TV evening with the Bayern game as a program. “I hope I can rest a bit at home. i’m a little bit older I don’t think we’re going to sit down. That would be a bit exaggerated,” said Boateng.