Baumgart responds angrily to HSV's debacle.
The failure repeated: Hamburger SV will continue to battle it out in the 2nd Bundesliga next season. The weak northerners didn't deserve to win against SC Paderborn. Post-match, Hamburg fans exhibited an atypical response.
Steffen Baumgart struggled to quickly move past the missing promotion opportunity and was already looking forward to the next chance in the 2024/25 season. "I'm aiming for it next year. I'm mad and frustrated right now, but I have my plans," stated the Hamburger SV coach on the Sky microphone following the discouraging 0:1 (0:1) at SC Paderborn. Due to this loss, it was evident even before the conclusion of the 33rd matchday that HSV would no longer be able to interfere in the promotion race. A lot of work awaits HSV before they commence their seventh season in the 2nd Bundesliga in the summer.
Minutes after the bitter disappointment, the Hamburg players positioned themselves in front of the visitors' curve and listened to the chants of their fans. No whistles or obvious expressions of dissatisfaction from the supporters - the scenes were unique and reassuring. However, they couldn't, of course, prevent the professionals' frustration over their own performance. "We're extremely disappointed," said defender Miro Muheim. "We'd set high expectations. This is extremely disappointing."
Nearly nothing from Hamburg
In front of 15,000 spectators in the sold-out Paderborn stadium, Koen Kostons scored the game-winner for the hosts in the seventh minute. Hamburg played as if inhibited and were ineffective in attack. "It's difficult to explain why it didn't work out now," said Muheim. Paderborn got off to a strong start and continually combined through midfield. Coach Lukas Kwasniok's squad were rewarded for their effort early on: Kostons beat Muheim to a cross and fired a shot under the crossbar from a sharp angle. The goalscorer, who misfired in front of HSV goalkeeper Matheo Raab, and Raphael Obermair had additional opportunities for the home team.
In contrast, Hamburg generated barely anything in attack. Baumgart, who paced endlessly along the touchline at his former coaching base, was noticeably dissatisfied with his team's performance. When he didn't like the fact that midfielder Anssi Suhonen wanted to take a throw-in, he took the ball out of the 23-year-old's hands. Baumgart made three changes for the second half.
Far too many errors
"We have to find out: Which players are capable of truly challenging the Bundesliga, not just talk about it. However, it's quite clear: What do we need to achieve promotion in Hamburg, at this place?" asked Baumgart: "Do we require the best players or do we need players with other attributes? That's what we're discussing." And that, according to the 52-year-old, "openly." During the match in Paderborn, "the error rate was too high" to win a soccer game. But that had "nothing to do with the attitude" of his players. "Courage and clarity" were missing, but he "didn't observe anyone standing still." "I try to motivate the boys," said the coach: "That's also my job: to be there for the boys."
It remains to be seen which players HSV will use for the next try and if there will be more changes, along with the future of sporting director Jonas Boldt. Baumgart made his debut as Tim Walter's successor on February 20, though even with a promising substitute on the sidelines, HSV's aspirations for promotion have not been achieved. Paderborn was not the only team to miss their target for the season. No, HSV had a plethora of injured players and was not consistent enough. "We stumbled at least two or three games, that shouldn't occur," stated Baumgart, shocked to discover: "We didn't present the performance needed to win in Paderborn." And to keep the prospect of promotion alive.
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The Bundesliga 2 will be the battleground for Hamburger SV next season, as they failed to secure promotion to the first division. Stefen Baumgart, the coach of HSV, expressed his frustration and determination to bounce back in the 2024/25 season.
Despite the disappointing 0:1 loss against SC Paderborn, Hamburger SV will continue competing in the 2nd Bundesliga, a league where they have spent seven seasons now.
Source: www.ntv.de
