In the first leg of the Bundesliga relegation, Hertha BSC was in a desolate state for long stretches against HSV (0-1) on Thursday evening. Coach Felix Magath has not written off staying up in the league despite the home defeat in the first duel with the Rothosen and has come up with a plan.
“It’s not primarily about being dominant, but above all about being efficient in actions. We need this efficiency in the second leg,” said the veteran in an interview with “picture” the route for the second leg on Monday in Hamburg (8:30 p.m.).
In the first leg, the interim coach’s eleven lacked many basic virtues. The Berliners only won around 40 percent of their duels, and the team often seemed lethargic on the ball. In the goal shot statistics, HSV had a clear 11:6 chances plus.
“We lacked the compactness, so we gave HSV too much space. This meant that we didn’t get into the duels intensively enough. In some situations we lacked aggressiveness, but also lacked luck in the game,” analyzed Magath the shortcomings.
Magath denies dispute with Boateng at Hertha BSC
An important factor in bringing the necessary determination onto the pitch will be the return of Santiago Ascacíbar, who missed the first leg through a yellow card suspension. “His aggressiveness will help us on Monday to be able to win the relegation”, Magath is certain.
Kevin-Prince Boateng, who was not used against the second division club on Thursday, will continue to play an important role, the 69-year-old explained: “I am convinced that Prince will be in Hamburg – and also for the future of Hertha BSC – will be and remain a decisive factor,” says Magath.
The coach denied an alleged previous dispute with the veteran. “The issue is not an issue,” said Magath, “we, Prince and I, will discuss together how he is most valuable for our Hertha in the second leg.”
Before the relegation game, “Sport Bild” reported that there was trouble between the leading player and his coach.
The trainer fox also rejected criticism of his decisions from the first leg, such as the formation of youngster Luca Wollschläger, which did not work out. “I haven’t experimented. We have a few players who are injured or ill and can’t go past 90 plus X. I have to take that into account in my thoughts for Monday,” Magath clarified.