Weber on cup dreams: Only the game against HSV counts

Bundesliga 2 - Weber on cup dreams: Only the game against HSV counts

This season's favorable starting position for reaching the DFB Cup final plays no role for second-division club Hertha BSC ahead of the round of 16 against Hamburger SV. "We're not thinking that far ahead. All that matters to us is the game against HSV," sporting director Benjamin Weber told the German Press Agency. "First and foremost, we're happy that we have a home game and probably in front of around 55,000 spectators. That alone, a floodlit game and the chance to stay in the cup for the winter, is a great incentive!"

There are currently only six first division teams left in the cup, with defending champions RB Leipzig and record winners Bayern Munich out. Hertha fans in Berlin have long dreamed of their professional team making it to the final at their home Olympic Stadium. The Berliners' amateur team made it in 1993, but then lost 1:0 to Bayer Leverkusen. The professionals last reached the semi-finals in 2016, but never the final since it has been played in the capital every year since 1985.

A win against league rivals HSV would also be financially significant for the cash-strapped capital city club. "There's no question that advancing means additional income, which of course helps us in our financial situation," said Weber. The quarter-finalists will receive 1,724,800 euros. The four semi-finalists will receive 3,449,600 euros.

The Old Lady also has a sporting score to settle with HSV. "There will once again be a great crowd at the Olympiastadion and we want to show that we have improved as a team compared to the league match in August," said the 43-year-old Weber. Back then, the Berliners lost 3-0 to Hamburg in the league.

Hertha at Instagram Website Hertha BSC Hertha at X Cup round HSV at X Website HSV

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1. Despite their favorable position in the Bundesliga 2, Hertha BSC Berlin focuses solely on their upcoming DFB Cup round of 16 match against Hamburger SV, disregarding any potential DFB Cup final aspirations.
2. The DFB Cup final has been a long-cherished dream for Hertha BSC fans in Berlin, with their amateur team reaching it in 1993 but falling short against Bayer Leverkusen.
3. In the current competition, only six first division teams remain, with defending champions RB Leipzig and record winners Bayern Munich having been eliminated.
4. Hertha BSC's victory over league rivals HSV in the DFB Cup would be financially beneficial for the cash-strapped club, with additional income of 1,724,800 euros for the quarter-finalists and 3,449,600 euros for the semi-finalists.
5. Sporting director Benjamin Weber expressed Hertha BSC's desire to settle the score with HSV in the DFB Cup, as they had lost to the Hamburg team 3-0 in the Bundesliga earlier this season.
6. Following their loss to HSV in the league, Hertha BSC aims to demonstrate their improved team performance in front of the expected 55,000 spectators at the Olympiastadion in the upcoming DFB Cup match.

Source: www.stern.de