Hollerbach ahead of derby between his former clubs: "Both have pressure"
Former St. Pauli and HSV professional Bernd Hollerbach sees slight advantages for the Kiez club in the Hamburg city derby. "St. Pauli seem a bit more stable at the moment, they're on a good run," the 53-year-old told the German Press Agency. On Friday evening (18:30/Sky), the league leaders will host second-placed Hamburger SV, who are three points adrift of them.
"St. Pauli has a home advantage. It was and is never easy at the Millerntor," said Hollerbach. "HSV often find it more difficult away from home." But it is also a duel between two rivals. "It's nice that both clubs are at the top. But in a derby, it doesn't really matter whether both clubs are top or bottom." He added: "Both have pressure in the derby." At the moment, it is still "too early" to draw conclusions as to who has the better cards in the promotion race.
Born in Würzburg, Hollerbach was under contract with FC St. Pauli between 1991 and 1995, after a move to 1. FC Kaiserslautern he moved to Hamburger SV in 1996, where he remained until the end of his career in 2004. As assistant coach under coach Felix Magath, he became champion with VfL Wolfsburg in 2009.
Hollerbach himself coached Würzburger Kickers and HSV, among others, which he quickly left after seven games without a win. Most recently, he was at Belgian first division club VV St. Truiden. In the summer, he decided to take a break.
Hollerbach would like to see both clubs back in the first division. "HSV definitely belongs in the first division, there's no question about that. And St. Pauli now also has the potential to play in the first division. It's no longer the case that they are the underdog club," he said. According to Hollerbach, the fact that HSV have not yet managed promotion after five years in the second division is "difficult to understand with the budget and the possibilities".
In the upcoming Bundesliga 2 derby, FC St. Pauli, where Hollerbach once played, holds a slight advantage due to their current form and home advantage. Despite the pressure, both clubs, including Hamburger SV, will fight fiercely as they are both currently placing high in the promotion race.
Source: www.dpa.com
