Hamburger SV is becoming more and more of a permanent guest in the 2nd division. Werder Bremen and FC Schalke 04, on the other hand, could return to the Bundesliga after just a year.
“It’s not an easy situation at the moment,” complained HSV sports director Jonas Boldt after the happy 1-1 (0-0) win at Fortuna Düsseldorf with ex-HSV coach Daniel Thioune. The fact that the hopelessly inferior HSV took a point after the forced Corona break thanks to Robert Glatzel’s late equalizer in added time was the best news of the day for Hamburg. They face a fifth season in a row in the second division. “We’re happy that we took a point with such a performance,” admitted Glatzel. Already nine points – with a less completed game – is the distance to the promotion places.
HSV coach Tim Walter was defiant. “We never give up and we never give up,” said Walter after his side were knocked out by Thioune’s team for 90 minutes. That alone should not be enough for the remaining eight HSV games if you look at the euphoria at Werder and Schalke.
Werder Bremen and FC Schalke 04 euphoric
Bremen celebrated an emotional victory 1-0 (0-0) in the top game against third-placed Darmstadt 98 in front of 41,000 spectators. At Schalke, at the latest, after the 2-1 (1-0) win against Hannover 96 in front of 55,152 spectators, promotion euphoria was sparked again, which HSV can only dream of. “After the 2-1 it was awesome. You know what Schalke is like,” said S04 goalkeeper Martin Fraisl on the 54th birthday of coach Mike Büskens, who enjoyed the return of the crowds of fans: “This symbiosis of spectators and players is what makes Schalke what it is.”
Werder’s chances of direct promotion are even better than for the Royal Blues, who are still one point behind Darmstadt in the relegation rank. Second in the standings, Bremen is now tied with leaders St. Pauli, three points ahead of Darmstadt. “There are still many direct duels in the front ranks. A look at the table only makes sense when it comes to the last four games,” said Werder coach Ole Werner almost as a brake.