This game captivates everyone who is interested in football in Germany. With a good result in the relegation first leg (Thursday, 8.30 p.m., live ticker on MOPO.de), HSV wants to set the course for promotion at Hertha BSC and then start towards the Bundesliga next Monday. It crackles! While the challenger traveled to the capital with a big chest, the Berliners encouraged themselves with the help of small psychological games.
They just want to keep going, HSV coach Tim Walter made that clear again on Wednesday before leaving. After the final session, the 46-year-old spoke briefly and decisively to his pros, who listened carefully and then applauded his words. A determination that should also carry HSV in Berlin.
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HSV at Hertha. A duel between the two largest German cities that received an extra spice the day before kick-off. Because while Walter and HSV currently know exactly where they stand, pure uncertainty has spread in Berlin. But Felix Magath tried to turn the tables before kick-off – and suddenly downplayed HSV, whom he actually loved so much.
Magath belittles HSV and its winning streak
The poison arrows flew straight from the Hertha training camp in Kienbaum, Brandenburg, to the Volkspark. “Of course HSV won the last four games,” explained Magath, forgetting that there were even five wins and then started. You have to look at the defeated opponents. “Regensburg, Hanover, Rostock and Ingolstadt, four clubs that were closer to relegation than to promotion. That’s why you have to put things in the right order.” Magath’s verdict: “You can dress it up and say: We won four games. But I just say: Let’s see who the opponents were. And then the victories are put into perspective a bit.”
It remains to be seen whether the 68-year-old’s attempt to strengthen his team by deliberately making HSV small will bear fruit. In Hamburg, of course, they see things differently. “We’re on top, at Hertha it’s probably the complete opposite,” said captain Sebastian Schonlau at the start of the week.
HSV wants to use the momentum in the relegation
Does HSV use the psychological momentum that is so important? Or will Hertha’s football class prevail in the end?
You might also be interested in: This is how Walter makes HSV hot for Hertha
There will be no lack of support for Walter’s team in the capital. Up to 20,000 HSV fans are expected in the Olympic Stadium, which is filled with almost 75,000 visitors, and they go into the game with a completely different emotional state than the battered Hertha supporters. On top of that, he’s pissed that their club opened the door to Hamburg’s poorly coordinated ticket distribution.
Relegation second leg at HSV is already sold out
Either way: Of course, HSV didn’t travel to Berlin without any pressure. He needs a result that can be worked with in order to transport the euphoria to the second leg. It’s almost limitless. The Volkspark was already sold out 20 minutes after the start of yesterday’s pre-sale, all 57,000 tickets are gone. Everyone wants to be there when HSV can make history on Monday. He has to do the preparatory work in Berlin.
