Glatzel: "The cup is always about everything".

In last year's cup round, Hamburger SV reached the semi-finals. On the way there, the Red Shorts eliminated Eintracht Braunschweig (2:1), 1. FC Nürnberg (2-2, 3:1 Pens ), 1. FC Köln (2-2, 3:2 Pens) and Karlsruher SC (2-2, 3:2 Pens) before the semi-final against SC Freiburg (1:3) was the final hurdel. Together, the Rothosen were convincing in the knockout matches with a special strength of nerve, and with goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes and goal scorer Robert Glatzel, two players stood out in this collective. The latter centre-forward took home the goalscorer's crown for the 2021/22 DFB Cup season with five goals, ahead of Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku (four goals), and is accordingly looking forward to the upcoming first-round clash in this year's competition with SpVgg Bayreuth (Saturday, from 3.15 p.m. live on HSVnetradio). "The cup is always something special. It's always about everything. You want to progress in every round, hoping that an even bigger opponent is waiting for you in the next one," explained the 28-year-old, who has scored on average in each of his five HSV Pokal matches. 

"We have an awesome anticipation for the game in Bayreuth. A heated atmosphere awaits us there."

The 1.93-metre-tall centre forward had also been fond of the DFB Pokal before. He registered seven goals in six games for 1. FC Heidenheim, including a legendary three-goal haul in the 2019 DFB Cup quarter-final at FC Bayern Munich (4:5), when "Bobby" made national headlines. But before such a stage as the German record champions' venue awaits the Rothosen, the Hamburgers face a tricky task at SpVgg Bayreuth, who dominated the Regionalliga Bayern in the pre-season with 93 points and were promoted to the 3. Liga in commanding fashion. "We have an awesome anticipation for the game in Bayreuth. A heated atmosphere awaits us there. It won't be easy. Bayreuth played a very commanding round in the Regionalliga. An opponent you can't underestimate," says the Munich native, who will be dribbling two and a half hours away from his home. Glatzel doesn't want to let his anticipation for the cup be dampened by the league performances so far, although he is self-critical: "The defeat against Rostock really hurt. We didn't want to start the season like that at home in the Volkspark. A full house, the farewell to Uwe Seeler - it was particularly bitter that we didn't deliver. But it always goes on. Last season taught us that. In football, you always have to look ahead. Now it's time for the cup."

And in the cup, the number 9 of the Rothosen went on a historic journey within the club last season. For the seventh time, an HSV player was the top scorer at the end of the cup season.