“HSV aren’t your classic second division side”
Pre-match press conference with Marco Rose ahead of the Pokal clash with Hamburg SV
The intense autumn heads into its next stage! One challenge is barely over before the next is already here. There was a great ending to the Bundesliga’s Topspiel last Saturday in the 3-2 win over Hertha BSC. Now it’s all about maintaining that focus and to successfully prepare for the second round of the DFB-Pokal against HSV (kick off at 18:00 CEST). Hamburg will have to put their convincing 3-0 loss to FC St. Pauli on Friday behind them – their strong results from the previous weeks, however, leaves Tim Walter’s team travelling to Leipzig with their usual high confidence.
Ahead of the cup game, RBL head coach Marco Rose discussed, amongst other things, the upcoming clash with Hamburg and the current squad situation.
Marco Rose on ...
... The upcoming DFB-Pokal game:
“The cup plays by its own rules. Something unexpected can always happen. The smaller clubs play beyond their level, but HSV aren’t a small team, nor are they your classic second division side. They have conceded the least amount of goals in the league and they have bags of quality. There’s no need to change my team for this game. The players know precisely what’s coming and what is expected of them. We want to progress to the next round but so do Hamburg. A lot will be demanded for us.”
... Tim Walter's style of football:
“I know Tim Walter well. When I was the U18s coach in Salzburg, he was the U17s coach in Munich at the time. He has great ideas and is a good guy. Ultimately, his system is mainly a 4-3-3 formation with two hovering number eights and wingers who overlap and have lots of pace. In the centre of attack, Robert Glatzel plays as a target man, who repeatedly gives the wingers in the limelight with his play. Also, the centre-backs and full-backs look for 1-on-1 challenges in order to create promising opportunities for themselves.
But Hamburg’s style of play isn’t any sort of witchcraft. We’ll need to stay compact and bring pressure when they have the ball. Then chances will come that we must try and put away.”
... The strain of the intense autumn schedule:
“The situation is pushing us to the limit, but it is how it is. We take good care of our boys, they take of themselves. They’re professional in their work and we deal with everything that comes our way and try and make the most out of the situation. We will all try to churn out results. That’s the one thing we’re concentrating on. Everything else is not important at the moment. That fatigue begins as a mental thing and we won’t let that happen!”
... The quality of Leipzig's attacking players:
“We have lots of good attackers within the side. André Silva is in good form and Emil Forsberg scored! Dominik Szoboszlai contributed with two assists at weekend and Yussuf Poulsen will get more and more game time under his belt. Lots of our boys are capable of impressing up top, but also our defenders are also getting on the score sheet at the moment. We will attack this knockout game and do the most we possibly can to progress to the next round.”
... Janis Blaswich:
“I didn’t have any concerns about him right from the start. Janis has unbelievable quality. He recognised the challenges immediately and has stepped up to the plate and done what has been asked of him. In the process he was able to win over the trust of team and get some playing time. In lots of games he’s proven he’s hundred percent trustworthy. We are really happy with him. He will continue to train and continue to get even better. Also, the work that our goalkeeping coach Frederik Gößling has done is amazing.”
Squad situation:
Christopher Nkunku underwent surgery on his right wrist on Sunday and will be unavailable for the game against Hamburg.
Emil Forsberg has a slight niggle in his hip area. A decision regarding his availability will be made after the final training session before the match.
Timo Werner will miss the game due to illness.
Péter Gulácsi (Torn cruciate ligament), Dani Olmo (cruciate ligament damage), Lukas Klostermann and Konrad Laimer (both with syndesmosis band injuries) are unavailable for the Hamburg match.