The club legends of Hamburger SV are at odds as to whether their former club will still be able to gain direct promotion to the Bundesliga.
Jimmy Hartwig no longer counts on it. “I don’t think the Heidenheimers will show any weakness in Regensburg,” said the 68-year-old. Next Sunday (3.30 p.m. / Sky) SSV Jahn Regensburg, who has almost certainly been relegated, will play against second-placed Heidenheim.
In the event of a draw or a defeat by Heidenheim, HSV could still get into the direct promotion spot with their own win against relegated SV Sandhausen. Hamburg’s win against SpVgg Greuther Fürth (2-1) on Saturday evening on the occasion of HSV’s European Cup victory over Juventus Turin in 1983 was attended by numerous winners from back then.
The fact that HSV is third in the table behind Heidenheim rankles former midfielder Hartwig. “Heidenheim in the Bundesliga? That’s ridiculous!” If it is up to him, HSV will have to make the ascent via the detour of relegation. It would be important not to let the guts be bought off and to hold up over the full length of the game. “But I still see a little need for action on the part of some players.”
Uli Stein still believes in direct HSV promotion
Wolfgang Rolff (63) also called for a possible relegation that “you appear bold and don’t play cautiously at first, but show the supposed first division team that you were successful in the season,” said Rolff. After his playing career, the former national player worked as an assistant coach under Thomas Schaaf for a long time.
Teammate Uli Stein (68), on the other hand, is more positive about the last day of the game from an HSV perspective. Regensburg will “want to say goodbye with decency,” said the former goalkeeper. “That’s why I don’t think Heidenheim will win there.”