Bundesliga 2 - Walter hopes for rotation effect before Paderborn game
The team's exit in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup has hit coach Tim Walter hard. "I think it can still hurt," said the Hamburger SV coach on Thursday. "The DFB Cup is a great competition. That's why we definitely wanted to progress to the next round." The previous day, Hamburg had lost in dramatic fashion at league rivals Hertha BSC.
Hamburg led 2:1 until the 90th minute, when the outstanding Fabian Reese scored to make it 2:2 and save the Berliners from going into extra time. In extra time, Ransford Yeboah Königsdörffer (102') put the visitors back in front with his goal to make it 3-2. Once again it was not enough for the visitors, as Jonjoe Kenny equalized for Hertha seconds before the end. In the penalty shoot-out, only Königsdörffer was denied by Berlin goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, while the hosts converted all five kicks from the spot to win 5-3.
"I can't explain that. That simply can't happen to a top team," said midfielder Jonas Meffert. "I don't know how we didn't manage to win here." With the cup exit, coach Walter also mourns the loss of playing time for players such as cup goalkeeper Matheo Raab. The 24-year-old "did incredibly well", said Walter. "We would have liked to have given him more games."
While the Berliners rejoiced and the financial managers of the capital city club were delighted to receive around €1.7 million for reaching the quarter-finals, Hamburg must now turn their focus to the league as quickly as possible. "We want to draw energy for Saturday from the anger and annoyance," said Walter ahead of the match against SC Paderborn (1pm/Sky). The third-placed team in the table will then return to the promotion race.
HSV can build on their excellent home record against Paderborn. The third-placed team has won every single game at the Volksparkstadion this season. Around 52,000 spectators will be in attendance to watch the game. "Paderborn is, I think, a bit under the radar this season, but the quality is significantly higher," said Walter. The visitors are in tenth place in the table after 15 matchdays. "They have a high percentage of possession, similar to us, and have good individual quality."
The 48-year-old is encouraged by the fact that Paderborn also had to play in the cup on Wednesday. Like HSV, the team in tenth place in the table also had to accept elimination in the round of 16. Coach Lukas Kwasniok's team lost 1:3 (0:2) against Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. "We rotated the squad," said Walter. "That's why we were able to conserve a bit of energy." Walter had changed seven positions in his starting line-up compared to last Friday's city derby at FC St. Pauli (2-2). Now the HSV coach is hoping that his team's legs are fresher. "We'll regenerate today and tomorrow," said Walter.
Cup round Coach Team HSV Squad HSV Schedule HSV Table 2nd Bundesliga
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Source: www.stern.de
