"It is crucial that we stay focused".

There are no easy opponents - this is roughly how Tim Walter's core statement can be summarised, which he repeatedly placed during the press conference before the match at SV Sandhausen on Saturday (19 February). For Walter, one thing is crucial: not to think that this match could be a foregone conclusion just because they recently beat three top teams, FC St. Pauli, Darmstadt 98 and 1. FC Heidenheim. And that is exactly how HSV is preparing for the 23rd matchday - at full throttle, as he emphasises. Tim Walter on...

... the current situation: "Moritz Heyer is injured, he has knee problems and we have to wait and see how he is doing. But apart from that, this is not the time to spare anyone, but to send everyone into the race who is available. Because we are well advised to always give full throttle, only then can we push our development further. For us, it is crucial that we stay with ourselves and fully focused. We live in the here and now, we are not interested in anything else.

„We will not make the mistake of underestimating any opponent."

...SV Sandhausen: We always start with a broad chest, but we won't make the mistake of underestimating any opponent. Especially not SV Sandhausen, who have added more players in the winter break and have won three and drawn one of their five games in the second half of the season. They have also conceded very few goals. So there is no reason whatsoever not to approach this game with 100 percent, because we will need that to be successful against this SV Sandhausen.

... his expectations for Saturday: "Anyone who has ever been to the Hardtwaldstadion in Sandhausen knows how difficult it is to play there and what to expect in this tight stadium: a heated atmosphere, lots of long balls and endless duels. We have to accept all that 100 per cent, invest everything and be ready to work hard. Only then can we reward ourselves.