- HSV coach Baumgart: The special game in Cologne
HSV coach Steffen Baumgart sees the game against 1. FC Köln as more than just any other match. "This will always be a special game for me, even in ten years, because I had a great time in Cologne," the 52-year-old said at Friday's press conference ahead of the 2. Bundesliga season opener (21:00 CET/Sky and Sat.1) with his Hamburger SV against his former club. "That this matchup is something special for the first matchday is beyond question."
From July 1, 2021, until the end of last year, he was with the Rhinelanders and became a fan favorite due to his successes. Less than two months after leaving FC, he began with HSV. Since both Hamburg and Cologne missed out on promotion and relegation respectively, a reunion and a former Bundesliga classic in the 2. Liga is now on the cards.
Baumgart is delighted to have this opener. "That's it then," he said, adding, "As they say, only the HSV. And that's how we want to go there and perform."
Glatzel out, Raab misses out due to lung infection
The HSV is not traveling to Cologne without personnel issues. Striker Robert Glatzel is still injured. Whether former Cologne player Davie Selke will at least be in the squad is still undecided. A starting lineup after overcoming a metatarsal fracture is not planned, according to Baumgart. "I assume that everyone knows where they stand," the coach said. In goal, Daniel Heuer Fernandes will be in charge, as Matheo Raab is suffering from a lung infection. Raab (25) had replaced the 31-year-old Heuer Fernandes as number one last season. "We have an excellent goalkeeper situation because we have two goalkeepers who can play in this league," Baumgart said.
Despite his former club's status in a lower league, Steffen Baumgart views the upcoming Football league match against 1. FC Köln as a significant one due to his fond memories in Cologne. Regrettably, HSV will be without Robert Glatzel and Matheo Raab for the encounter, with Glatzel still injured and Raab battling a lung infection.
