Hertha BSC and Hamburger SV are fighting for the last decision in the Bundesliga.
Hertha coach Felix Magath and his colleague Tim Walter from HSV are relying on special axis players in the relegation first leg in the Berlin Olympic Stadium on Thursday:
Hertha BSC
The climber: Marcel Lotka, who has risen to number one in the goalkeeper hierarchy, is still a question mark after suffering a slight concussion and a broken nose in the 2-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund. The commitment of the 20-year-old will probably only be decided on Thursday.
The captain: Especially in the last few games, Dedryck Boyata has played his role as captain differently than he used to. Magath took the 31-year-old aside after his first training session and gave him the right words for the final sprint.
The leader: Kevin-Prince Boateng only really slipped into his intended role as leader on the pitch under Magath. Since the 35-year-old’s body is no longer up to all the games, Boateng occasionally sits out after consultation with Magath. The midfielder will probably play again against HSV.
The beacon of hope: Magath pulls another joker up his sleeve in Stevan Jovetic. The long-injured striker returns at the right time: with six goals and two assists, the 32-year-old Montenegrin is still the most successful attacker in Berlin.
the decider: Trainerfuchs Magath has avoided direct relegation in his short time in Berlin, not managed the possible early rescue. But the 68-year-old put the right screws in the team that has been bobbing for years, which should ultimately bring them to stay in the class.
Hamburger SV
The support: Daniel Heuer Fernandes played his best HSV season and proved to be a great support. The 29-year-old keeper, who in the Walter system is supposed to open the game from behind as an assisting passer, conceded by far the fewest goals (35).
The head: Sebastian Schonlau became captain and defense chief in his first HSV season. The 27-year-old central defender is also strong in the build-up and offensive game (4 goals this season). The only weakness: he’s not the fastest.
The difference player: Sonny Kittel can make the difference at HSV. Fourth in the second division scorer list (9 goals/17 assists), the 29-year-old was often Hamburg’s match winner in 2021/22. But the best footballer in the squad sometimes disappears at important moments.
The clipper: Robert Glatzel came, saw and met – and how! With 22 goals this season, Cardiff City’s €1m deal has surpassed all expectations. If the 28-year-old continues to snap like he did last time, HSV’s dream of making a comeback in the first division can come true after four years.
The developer: “I am the boss!” Tim Walter may not be a player, but he is the decisive man at HSV. The 46-year-old is the first coach to lead HSV into the promotion zone in League 2. His job: developing a courageous team with prospects. It took a while, but Board member Jonas Boldt stood by Walter and stands by him.