“The tension is there”

With our first match point last week in Münster, we finally put the relegation issue to rest. Now we’re really looking forward to a great home atmosphere at the Bölle. It’s a very special game, and that’s how we want to perform. The team is also really excited about this match. I’m sure we’ll be able to make our mark and implement the style of play that has made us strong for months. We’ve won four home games in a row here at the Bölle. We want to go into this home game with the confidence we’ve gained from our last few games. I’m really looking forward to a football festival at the Bölle on Saturday.

Hamburger SV possesses absolutely top-class individual talent in every position – from goalkeeper to center forward. In attacking one-on-one situations, with Dompé and Sahiti, they have by far the best wingers in the 2. Bundesliga – that’s even top-flight quality. HSV has had a very stable second half of the season for a long time, picking up good points. They have a clear idea of ​​how they want to earn points. The team tries to press high. Especially in the center, they have very intelligent players both with and without the ball. A lot is at stake for HSV in the last three games, so I expect a high-energy Hamburg team, especially at the beginning. Our task will be to slow down this initial onslaught and then push through our strategies as the game progresses.

Sporting director Paul Fernie summed it up perfectly: This season had all the ingredients for a worst-case scenario. In the end, we averted this very confidently. We took a short breather after the draw in Münster. But it was nothing more than a short breather. You could already tell in the locker room after the game that the lads weren’t happy with their performance in Münster. So there’s no reason to artificially build up the tension, because the tension is fully there. We still have three attractive games ahead of us, which have such great motivation. And we want to win all three. The team has trained with focus, is excited about the games, and will give their all. Moreover, last season and phases of this season weren’t the best for our fans. We’ve already given a lot back. But we want to continue to have great experiences with our fans. And of course, you’re more likely to have those after victories.

Tobi will also be in the squad on Saturday and in the two following games. If he plays, it will be no surprise. He definitely has the ability to be important in the final games. I’ve known Tobi for ages. We’ve kept in touch since our time together in Bremen. Tobi is an absolute club legend. He scored many important and decisive goals and was also a very influential figure in Darmstadt. We had many good discussions over a long period of time. Tobi is a very ambitious athlete and mastered the second half of the season, in which he didn’t play that much, with style. I take all my hats off to him. Especially during a difficult phase, he was always there for the team, both in the dressing room and for us as the coaching staff. I have the utmost respect for that. I’ll probably shed a tear or two when he plays his last game for the Lilies against Regensburg. He is an outstanding player and an outstanding character.