Interview
09.12.21
Heyer: "We have developed a certain self-image".
In an interview with HSV.de, defensive all-rounder Moritz Heyer talks about the rare feeling of defeat, the development of the team and the upcoming duel with F.C. Hansa Rostock and his buddy Bentley Baxter Bahn.
0:1 in Hannover, Hamburger SV suffered another defeat after 13 unbeaten competitive games in a row. For all-purpose weapon Moritz Heyer, who did not make an appearance in the previous defeat on matchday 3, it was even the first defeat of the season in which he was actively on the pitch. For the 26-year-old defensive all-rounder, who has played a whopping 47 of a possible 50 2. Bundesliga games since his move to HSV in the summer of 2020, this defeat is not a setback. On the contrary, Heyer sees the Rothosen on a good path, as he explains in an interview with HSV.de. The native of Niedersachsen is looking forward to the upcoming duel with F.C. Hansa Rostock, where he will meet his old companion and buddy Bentley Baxter Bahn.
Mo, after 13 unbeaten games in a row, you lost another game in Hannover. How unusual was it to leave the pitch as a loser again after such a long time?
Moritz Heyer: The defeat was really annoying because of the way the game went. Despite our series, however, this feeling was not entirely new, as we also had the feeling in many draws that more would have been possible. Some of the draws felt like defeats. But of course it's different when you have to leave the pitch without a point.
.
You weren't on the pitch for the first defeat of the season against FC St. Pauli. To what extent does it differ from your personal perception whether you sat on the bench during a defeat or were present on the pitch?
It makes no difference. Even if you are not on the pitch, you feel the pain of a defeat. You never like to lose, that's quite clear. That's why I felt the same against FC St. Pauli when we lost. The mood is generally bad and the day or days afterwards also take some getting used to. But that is part of the process of coming to terms with defeats.
Yesterday was the first training session in preparation for the home match against Rostock. You said after the game in Hannover: "That doesn't knock us off our feet. Two days of anger and then we'll move on." Do you feel like it's all shaken off already?
Absolutely, we already put the game behind us on Monday with the video analysis. We are now fully concentrating on the next task against Rostock and already have a good mood in the dressing room again. In general, we have developed a certain self-confidence through our series. The entire first half of the season is almost over and we've only lost two games. So, despite the defeat in Hannover, we have a good run and don't need to hide from anyone.
How do you perceive the general development, especially in the defensive area? We only conceded two goals in the last three games..
I think that our defence was already quite good in the previous games, but the opponents simply made a lot out of their opportunities. Overall, we are developing from match day to match day. We are playing more and more the kind of football we want to play - especially in the defensive area and in opening up the game. That's already quite good, but it can always get better.
Due to injury, only Sebastian Schonlau is left from the defensive line including the goalkeeper of the first third of the season. How were you were able to cope so well with all these changes as a team?
We train together every day, play together in different formations in the training sessions. We have a certain breadth and quality in the team. No one is deviating downwards, so I'm not at all surprised that we're doing so well at the moment despite the changes. Everybody is on their toes in training, everybody is waiting for their chance, everybody wants to take advantage of this opportunity when it comes. We have seen this spirit in the last few weeks, when one or two key players left and the guys who came back did really well. That speaks for the squad, the mentality and also the processes of the team. It's also quite easy to slide in because everyone knows exactly what's required.
In the first half of the first half of the season, you played in midfield and were one of the top goal scorers. How was it for you personally to have to move back to the right-back position?
At the beginning it was unusual because I haven't played this position too often in the last few years. I certainly needed a game to make the change, because the procedures on the flank are always different from those in the centre. As a right-back, for example, it's important that I keep the inside line tight, make sure the ball doesn't get between the inside and outside defenders. As a central midfielder, that's not so important, that's the job of an outside defender. But in the meantime I have adjusted to it quite well.
Now you haven't scored in five games and you're waiting for your sixth goal of the season. With a striker you would ask the question about a goal crisis. Have you already been asked about that?
(laughs) In any case, despite my new position, I had one or two opportunities that had to lead to a goal. I remember shots in Karlsruhe and against Regensburg where I could have scored but slipped away or missed the empty goal. So I would have liked to score another goal and I hope that will happen this year. If I continue to go scoreless and we win both games, I'll sign that straight away, of course.
How do you rate your upcoming opponents Hansa Rostock? What is important in the home game on Sunday?
Hansa Rostock will throw everything into this game. They will probably defend a bit deeper and try to make life difficult for us with their mentality, which they undoubtedly have. It won't be easy for us because they have relatively fast players in attack who they try to bring into play by switching moments. It will be a difficult game for us, but we definitely want to build on the past two home games at the end of the year and get another six points. We start this weekend with the game against Rostock.
Finally, what personal connections do you have with the upcoming opponents?
I played with Nico Neidhart in Lotte and Bentley Baxter Bahn in Halle. There is still regular contact with Bentley. We still wrote the other days. He's already looking forward to the game and said he'd play me dizzy - I'm curious about that. (laughs) Joking aside: I'm also looking forward to the reunion, but I know his style of play quite well and I'm confident if it comes to a direct duel on the pitch.