Fink: "Become a force at home"
HSV coach Thorsten Fink was in fighting mood at the final press conference held at the Imtech Arena, before the final home game of the first half of the season against second-bottom side FC Augsburg on Saturday (17.12.2011, 15:30 CET). The HSV supremo told the press that "Battle hard and win in the end", was his motto for the game, which he promised would be anything but easy. HSV are unbeaten in seven games since Fink took charge. It is hoped that the positive run will continue into the new year. Fink expets a workmanlike win to round off the first half of the Bundesliga season. He explained: "Augsburg are a side who tend to play destructive football, man-marking at times. We have to battle hard but we also need patience. It won't be a pretty game to watch." The aim of HSV is to win the final home game and breach the 20-point barrier by the winter break. Fink added: "A win would give us the chance to become a force at home. The icing on the cake would be to progress to the fourth round of the DFB Cup in our final game of the first half of the season." The HSV boss likes what he saw during training this week he revealed: "The team made a good impression on me."
"We will be playing almost the same team as in the Mainz game", Fink told the press when he was asked about his possible line-up. Mladen Petric returns the the team, probably playing just behind main striker Paolo Guerrero. It is hoped that the Croatian striker will be able to set up Guerrero and other team mates as well as score goals himself. Petric was sorely missed in Mainz. Fink: "Mladen has a huge amount of quality which will help us in this tough game." Fink does not plan to play the Croatian hitman for 90 minutes though. He does not want to take any unnecessary risks after his recent muscular problem. Key duo to start on Saturday Gojko Kacar and Ivo Ilicevic are expected to start the game against Augsburg. Kacar will operate in his familiar midfield role alongside Tomás Rincon in front of the back four. Croatian international Ilicevic looks likely to play on the left of midfield, the spot usually occupied by Marcell Jansen. Fink explained: "Marcell will be rested for the Augsburg game. He missed today's training session because of a slight groin strain. He will however be fit to play VfB Stuttgart in the cup on Wednesday."
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