Interview
08.08.18
"There is no single formula for success in the 2. Bundesliga"
In an interview with HSV.de, Sandhausen defender Markus Karl speaks about his time at Hamburger SV, the features of the second division and the upcoming game on Sunday.
Markus Karl is the most experienced player in the Sandhausen ranks having played 263 2. Liga games. The 32-year-old centre back moved to the smallest town in the 2. Bundesliga in the summer of 2016 but he has also pulled on the shirt of SpVgg Greuther Fürth, FC Ingolstadt 04, 1. FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Kaiserslautern. The Bavarian has also 5 Bundesliga appearances to his name, totalling 16 minutes on the pitch, which he gained in the 2005/6 and 2006/7 seasons playing for HSV. Before the encounter against his former club on Sunday, Karl speaks to HSV.de about his memories of HSV, the features of the second division and his expectations for the match.
Markus, you played for Hamburger SV for a year and a half between 2005 and 2006. What memories do you have of your time in Hamburg?
At this point everything was all new to me as I had just moved to HSV from the youth set-up at Greuther Fürth. Nevertheless, Hamburg was a beautiful city and I had a great time with the team which I look back on with fondness. I still know a few members of staff and I am looking forward to seeing them again on Sunday.
HSV lost their opening game 3-0 to Holstein Kiel. What is your take on the start die Rothosen have made?
I do not regard the loss as a total catastrophe, which is how it is being portrayed by the media. It is obviously difficult to lose the first match of the season at home 3-0, however if HSV had taken one of their chances in the first half, it could have been a completely different story.
You have made 263 appearances in the second tier. What do you think are the most important attributes to have to survive in this division?
There is no single formula that leads to guaranteed promotion. I do believe that a lot of it is about attitude and putting challenges in. If a team can find a way to play football in these tight games, they have got a great chance of doing well.
SV Sandhausen did not start the season well either with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Greuther Fürth. You played the full 90 minutes against your former team. What was your perception of the game?
I thought it was a good away performance up until the 75th minute then two lapses in concentration lost us the game. The heat made it tough to chase the game after falling behind. We want to show on Sunday that we can eradicate the small mistakes and make sure the points stay in Hardtwald.
SV Sandhausen are one of the smallest clubs in the 2. Bundesliga but managed to successfully establish themselves in the league last season. What were the contributing factors?
In terms of character, we have become a real unit that has been constantly developing over the past two or three years. We want to solidify and have another successful season without worry of relegation. Furthermore, the 2. Liga is about respect and ambition. We know where we have come from and that has put us in good stead up to now.
A big proportion of the success is down to manager Kenan Kocak who is, not without reason, always linked with Bundesliga clubs. What is so special about him?
I believe, sooner or later, we will definitely see Kenan in the Bundesliga. He works meticulously and has exceptional knowledge of the game.
Finally, how do you expect the game to go this coming Sunday?
I am expecting a brilliant atmosphere in a sold-out stadium as HSV will bring lots of fans. We are all excited to play such a huge club in the BWT-Stadion am Hartwald and we will push Hamburg all the way in order to keep the points in Sandhausen.