Interview
09.07.23
Meffert: “We will be ready again!”
In an interview with HSV.de, midfielder Jonas Meffert spoke about the promotion play-off last season, the mindset for the current pre-season and the upcoming Bundesliga 2 season.
After missing out on promotion to the Bundesliga, the ‘Rothosen’ open the 2023/24 second division season against FC Schalke 04 just 53 days after the second leg of the promotion play-off against VfB Stuttgart. Jonas Meffert and HSV are taking on the task during the training camp in Kitzbühel of preparing in the best possible way, both physically and mentally, for the opening game and the new season despite a break of only 23 days. The 28-year-old midfielder revealed in an interview with HSV.de how they will take on this new challenge and why Robert Glazel and Ludovit Reis’s extensions at the club as well as the new faces and the unique environment at HSV are helping in this respect.
HSV.de: Meffo, about four weeks ago you played in the promotion play-off against VfB Stuttgart. Now we are sitting here in Kitzbühel, where you are preparing for the new season. Hand on heart, how difficult is it for you to manage the difference between the two seasons?
Jonas Meffert: I’ve already been a part of several play-offs and this time it was very difficult for me. You have to be as honest as that. When I think about how many wins and points we picked up last season and how the weeks before the final game of the season went, it just hurt and still hurts to have missed out on our aim.
Did the defeats in the two play-offs with HSV feel different to you?
Yes, in a way they did. Against Hertha, we were ahead for 90 minutes and everyone had the feeling that we would make it. But then in the second leg we were brought back to reality and we lost our energy. Against Stuttgart, we were always far behind, but everyone still believed, especially the fans. We then played one of our best halves, took the lead and really gave Stuttgart something to think about. Unfortunately, we couldn’t show it over the full 90 minutes. Nevertheless, I’m very happy that I was able to play these games. I’ll never forget games like the first leg in Berlin or the second leg against Stuttgart for the rest of my life. All the people who were there will also remember it. Unfortunately, it’s part of sport that one team wins and one loses in the end.
“I’ll never forget games like that for the rest of my life.”
As you know, it was the fourth play-off game you’ve lost personally. How did you deal with that?
I talked about the season with my family and girlfriend and tried to see the positives. It’s now the fourth time for me that we’ve had an outstanding season and unfortunately missed out on promotion every time. That hurts, but at the same time it always gives you an objective for the next season.
How much time did you have during the short summer break to take your mind off football?
I spent a week in Sardinia. It’s a beautiful island that I had never been to. I needed a day or two there to really switch off, but in the end I managed to do so in that environment. I also visited my family and friends in Cologne. There were a few kind and encouraging words there and otherwise I barely talked about football. I used the time to have a good time with my friends who I’ve known for ever. We took advantage of the summer weather, were out and about a lot in the south of the city and, as usual, also on the basketball court when it wasn’t too hot. Visits home are always the best distraction.
Let’s look ahead: In Ludovit Reis and Robert Glatzel, two key players have shown their commitment to HSV during the summer break. How did you react to this news?
I always put my phone away when I’m on holiday and even my girlfriend only looks at it from time to time. During the seven days in Sardinia, she shouted loudly twice, and that was because of the news about “Ludo” and “Bobby”. I was very pleased and it gave me a motivation boost. I never thought I’d get to play with Ludo again. I had a feeling that I would with “Bobby”, but I would have also understood if he had decided to do something else.
“I was very pleased and it gave me a motivation boost.”
There are also four new signings so far – Pherai, Ötzunali, Ramos and Hadzikadunic. What is your first impression of them?
I have already played with Levin in Leverkusen. I was really happy when I heard about his transfer. He’s super down-to-earth, a nice guy and a hard worker, which fits our team perfectly. I’m also sure that Immanuel and Gui, too, fit well into our team after just a few days here and, above all, they bring good humour and a freshness to the team. We are hoping it’s the same for Dennis, who will only join the team tomorrow. After a season like this, it’s also important to see some new faces. It’s good to have four or five new players who are really up for it and haven’t yet experienced what some of us have.
At the same time, you are making your third attempt together with the coaching team and the majority of the squad. To what extent is it an advantage that you have grown together and can build on so many things?
That is definitely an advantage, as last season showed. We started the season very well because we already knew each other and the playing style. I think it’s always an advantage when you’re already comfortable together and know the style. At the same time, you have to make sure that everything doesn’t just become a habit. As I said, the new signings help with that.
The 2023/24 pre-season has been underway for a week now. What is important during this time?
We should work on conceding fewer goals again. For one and a half years, we stood out for having the best defence in the second division. We have lost that a little bit in the last six months, and we will certainly work hard on that. At the same time, we can be more clinical up top. We create a lot of chances, take a lot of shots and have a lot of quality up front, but you can always get better. We want to work on some obvious weaknesses in attack and further improve our strengths.
“It’s just unbelievable the atmosphere and energy that can be created in this stadium.”
That’s on the football side of things. How do you perceive the atmosphere and anticipation for the new season within the team?
In the first few days, it was honestly not easy to get back into it, but I know that the fans give us a lot in this respect. At the first training sessions, several hundred fans were there, including a lot of kids. That always makes you very happy, and you can see here during the training camp how many fans make the journey with us. By the end of pre-season at the latest, at the friendly match in Glasgow and the first game of the season at the Volkapark, the past season will be forgotten by all of us. Then we’ll be ready again and really, really up for playing in front of these fans in this stadium. We recently went to a concert by The Weeknd as a team and it’s just unbelievable the atmosphere and energy that can be created in this stadium. It was cool to see that from the top of the stands. Nobody has to worry and we will be up for it for the first game and give everything to get three points against Schalke.
As was the case two years ago, two Bundesliga heavyweights in Hertha BSC and FC Schalke 04 are coming down. In addition, some clubs like Hannover 96 and Fortuna Düsseldorf are hoping for some consistency. How do you assess the league as a whole?
It’s very difficult to make a specific prediction at this point because the teams’ squads are not yet complete, but in general you can say that it’s a very, very difficult league to get promoted in, but that’s exactly what we’re up for. It might not be the case this season that the teams have the games of their lives ahead of them at HSV, but they also have to play Schalke and Hertha. This pressure could therefore be spread about and be an advantage for us. In the end, it’s a very, very cool league with lots of big clubs and lots of attractive matchups. Everyone will be looking forward to this second division season.
Finally: Two very well-known faces from the Bundesliga in Max Kruse and Lars Stindl are also strengthening the 2. Liga. How surprised are you by these transfers?
You could have predicted Lars Stindl’s transfer, because it’s a case of going back home for him. It remind me a bit of Finn Bartels at Holstein Kiel. With Max Kruse, too, there have been rumours for some time that he would be willing to go to a second-division club. So I’m not surprised by these moves, because the 2. Liga has become quite attractive. For us, of course, it’s special that these players are coming and will strengthen the league. I think everyone is looking forward to playing against Max Kruse.