Post-Match Report

"WE’RE A LONG WAY FROM GIVING UP!"

THE DAY AFTER THE BITTER 1-0 NORDDERBY DEFEAT TO SV WERDER BREMEN, HSV HEAD COACH BERN HOLLERBACH SHARED HIS THOUGHTS ON THE GAME, THE CONDITION OF HIS TEAM AND SPECIAL MEASURES AHEAD OF THE UPCOMING HOME MATCH AGAINST MAINZ 05.

There was disappointment and frustration in the HSV camp on Saturday evening, following the bitter late defeat in the 108th Nordderby. The Hamburg boys put their blood, sweat and tears into the whole game, but it was Werder who snatched the win with a controversial late goal in the 86th minute. A major setback in the battle for survival and the disappointment could be felt across the club on Sunday morning: “We would have deserved at least a draw, which is why the situation really frustrates me. Rick has his standing leg kicked away on the goal-line. In my opinion, that’s a foul.” said Hollerbach after the game. The head coach had plenty of praise for his players, however, for the commitment, passion and fight they showed throughout. "I know that many have written us off already, but I wouldn’t make that mistake. The team and I are a long way from giving up.” Exactly the kind of attitude the team needs going into next week’s huge game on Sunday afternoon against 1. FSV Mainz 05.

Bernd Hollerbach speaking to the press on Sunday morning about…

A solid and committed performance from Bakery Jatta

... yesterday’s match: "I re-watched the match last night. We showed commitment and character and that’s the most important thing at the moment. I didn’t see a single player shy out of a challenge yesterday or show any fear. Everyone gave everything. We would have deserved at least a point, which is why the situation really frustrates me. Rick has his standing leg kicked away on the goal-line. In my opinion, that’s a foul. I’m still disappointed because of that.

... our attacking play: "We’ve had a problem all season in attack, where we haven’t been able to make it count in the final moment. We need to continue working hard every week on this aspect. It’s obvious that we need to be better in the final third. In that respect, Jatta was class yesterday. He was a constant threat. He’s an example for the others that you need to put in a lot of effort and attack with purpose."

... the condition of the team: "We’re obviously missing that winning feeling. We need to take the lead in a game for once. We’re always going behind in games. The character and passion shown by the players yesterday was very good. We gave everything. I saw a team out on the pitch yesterday and this morning I had to pick them back up. If we keep playing like that, the results will come. But only if we persist. It helps nobody if we just whine and bury our heads in the sand. We need to roll up our sleeves and look forward!

HSV are considering preparing for the important home match against Mainz at with a short training camp.

... special measures ahead of Mainz clash: It’s a very, very important game. The first of ten finals. We’re do absolutely everything to make sure the points stay in Hamburg on Sunday. We’re also looking at the possibility of travelling for a short training game, by Thursday at the latest. Just to have a bit of peace and keep the team in a close circle. We need to pull together and be 100 concentrated. We’re trying to organise it at the moment, but we are having difficulties finding a pitch because of how cold it is."

... the overall situation: "I know that everyone has written us off already, but I wouldn’t make that mistake. The team and I are a long way from giving up. I know that anything can happen in the final five or six games of the season. Crazy things have happened. There are teams that will have already qualified for the Champions League or won the league. We need to make sure we are applying pressure from below. I think we’re a long way from being written off and I believe we can pull it off."

... the squad: Julian Pollersbeck is ill with a fever. Albin completed an individual training session today. It looks likely that he’ll be back training with the team at some point this week. Similar for Lewis Holtby, who was cycling today. We still need to be careful that the wound stays closed to avoid any infection.