The relegation from the Bundesliga would be the worst case scenario for Hertha BSC. In the relegation against Hamburger SV, the Berliners have to save the season – it's about more than staying up.
Can Hertha defender Dedryck Boyata and Co. avoid relegation in the relegation?
Starting position:
The way in which the Berliners ended up in relegation at the end of an exciting Bundesliga final was a real blow to the neck. Within a few minutes, Hertha first conceded the 1:2 against Borussia Dortmund, then VfB Stuttgart scored to 2:1 against Cologne. Instead of a narrow rescue, it was time to keep fighting, keep your concentration, take new courage. It is questionable where this courage should come from in the two duels with Hamburger SV. The season was once again catastrophic for the capital club, which actually has completely different goals. With Felix Magath, the third coach of the season should prevent relegation.
In addition to the sporting misery, it became clear that there are also problems in the club's internal relationship: patron Lars Windhorst and President Werner Gegenbauer, who openly argue, managing director Fredi Bobic, who is increasingly being criticized, a team who, after the derby defeat against 1. FC Union, was insulted and harassed by her own fans. Although team and supporters have reconciled, this temporary peace is likely to be broken again quickly on a descent.
Against HSV Magath is missing the suspended midfield clearer Santiago Ascacibar. In addition, the use of goalkeeper Marcel Lotka is questionable. He broke his nose in a collision with the post in Dortmund. With HSV, the Berliners are expecting a team that had already ended disappointed with the topic of promotion. But then the Hamburgers won their last five league games and still made it into the relegation. There they compete with a lot of self-confidence, against broken Hertha, who have a lot more to lose than their opponents.
Voices:
Felix Magath (Trainer Hertha BSC):< /strong> “Since I've been in charge, we've made positive progress. Anyone who saw the game in Dortmund saw two first division teams, and we were one of them. There's no reason to go into the task with a bad feeling. We're in a good mood, we'll show that twice.”
Tim Walter (Hamburger SV coach): “We have the momentum on our side.”
Uwe Seeler (Hamburger SV club icon): “It's high time. If the team fights like it has in the past and also shows ambition, it can do it.”
Statistics:
After 70 Bundesliga duels, the balance between the two clubs is quite balanced. HSV won 27 times, Hertha 30 times and 13 games ended in a draw. The Hertha team have won the last five home games, but the last meeting was more than four years ago. As far as the relegation is concerned, HSV has had better experiences: in 2014 the Hamburgers prevailed as a Bundesliga club against second division Greuther Fürth, in 2015 against Karlsruher SC. Hertha BSC has only been in the relegation once. In 2012, the Berliners lost to Fortuna Düsseldorf and had to be relegated to the second division for the last time.