Two traditional clubs meet in the relegation: VfB Stuttgart and Hamburger SV (Thursday, from 8.45 p.m., live in the sports show ticker). These two heavyweights in German football would have loved to have avoided detention. The drama of the last matchday wrote a different story.
Hamburger SV thought they were in the Bundesliga for a few minutes on Sunday (May 28th, 2023) after beating SV Sandhausen, before 1. FC Heidenheim overtook the Hanseatic League with their two late goals in added time at Jahn Regensburg.
A win against TSG Hoffenheim would have been enough for VfB Stuttgart to keep the Bundesliga. But the 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim was not enough. The Swabians did not manage to save the 15th place in the table and also have to go into the season extension – for the second time in the club’s history.
HSV coach Walter spreads confidence
“In terms of feeling, everything was there from the top to the bottom last Sunday”, said Hamburg coach Tim Walter looking back. The coach was therefore mainly in demand as a psychologist in those days.
The Hamburger therefore spread great confidence to the outside world. “We have it back in our own hands to make the possible possible”said Walter, who laughed a lot during the only 48-minute training session on Tuesday, joked and pointedly approached the fans present.
Walter’s motto: “We’re going to Stuttgart to win.” With a “now more than ever mood”, according to Tim Walter, the return to the upper house should finally succeed in the sixth attempt. After all, his team brings the momentum of three victories from the 2nd division (Regensburg, Fürth, Sandhausen) into the duels against VfB.
Numbers speak for VfB Stuttgart
But with all Hamburg optimism: Numbers also speak for the opponent from Stuttgart. Since the reintroduction of relegation in 2009, the second division team has only made it onto the big stage three times – but once against VfB, who lost out to Union Berlin in 2019.
VfB also made a respectable final spurt in the Bundesliga under their new coach Sebastian Hoeneß. Only one of the last eight Bundesliga games was lost, of all things against relegated Hertha BSC on matchday 31 (1:2).
History: The most recent duel with HSV went to Stuttgart
The Swabians also won the last competitive duel so far. In 2019, VfB Stuttgart took the decisive step towards promotion back to the first division against HSV. Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Pellegrino Materazzo’s side turned the game around to a 3-2 home win thanks to Wataru Endo, Nicolas Gonzalez and Gonzalo Castro.
Goalscorer Endo is the only VfBer from the starting XI from back then this time too. Goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow was on the bench four years ago. He’s now number one at VfB, but he’s endangered to play on Thursday due to knee problems. It is also unclear whether defender Dan-Axel Zagadou can play. The recently blocked Bakery Jatta is back on board for the Hamburgers.
Experienced Tobias Welz leads the game
With Tobias Welz, the DFB has appointed one of its most experienced referees, he has been refereeing in the Bundesliga since 2010. Welz took charge of one game for each opponent last season, which both won – VfB versus Mönchengladbach. HSV beat Hansa Rostock with Welz as referee.
Estimated lineups
Stuttgart: Bredlow – Mavropanos, Anton, Ito – Vagnoman, Karazor, Endo, Sosa – Silas, Guirassy, Tomas
Hamburg: Heuer Fernandes – Heyer, David, Schonlau, Muheim – Kittel, Meffert, Reis – Königsdörffer, Glatzel, Dompe