Press conference

“It’s in our hands“

In the press conference ahead of HSV’s away trip to face 1. FC Union Berlin, head coach Hannes Wolf spoke about team news, the end-of-season run in and Sunday’s opponents.

Hannes Wolf is well aware of the significance of HSV’s final four games of the season. After 30 league games, Die Rothosen have collected 53 points and will need as many points as possible to achieve the season goal of promotion back to the top flight. Therefore, the head coach seemed rightly focused and determined in Firday’s press conference. Sunday’s opponents Union Berlin sit two places and three points behind Wolf’s men in the table. The 38-year-old claimed that only a top performance over the full 90 minutes would be good enough in order to get something at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Sunday’s game will provide a stern challenge for Die Rothosen and will be a good indicator for the remaining fixtures. After all, the two sides played out a balanced 2-2 draw at the Volksparkstadion in the reverse fixture. Wolf expressed what his men will need in order to secure victory on Sunday.

The head coach spoke in detail about…

… team news: Orel picked up a knock to his foot a few days ago, but we’re hoping he will be available for Sunday. It will be tight as to whether Kyriakos Papadopoulos will be available for the game, whilst Jairo Samperio still needs time. Everyone else is available to play. Aaron Hunt has been back in training for a good time now and is available to start the game. Fiete Arp and Tatsuya Ito will play with the U21s tomorrow – they need the match fitness.

Leo Lacroix has played 90 minutes in the last three games and his development has been praised by Hannes Wolf.

… Leo Lacroix’s development: He has trained really well recently and has become an important member of the team. As a result, he came into the starting XI and has played well. We need him to put in another good performance on Sunday - we will need his physical presence for the game against Union.

… the nerves for the run-in: Of course, everyone is aware that we are approaching the end of the season. It is nothing new that there is pressure at the club. However, we have been aware of the situation for a while. On Sunday we are playing against direct rivals for promotion. I hope that we can put in a good performance, and also have the nerve and concentration when it matters.

… the upcoming opposition: Union are a good team, who play a very physical game. They have strength in attack and good pace on the wings. In the reverse fixture it was clear that they can perform really well. We conceded a late equaliser and the game ended 2-2. Like us, Union have not picked up as many points in the second half of the season. It will be a level playing field. It’s in our own hands but we still need a top performance. We want to give everything over the full 90 minutes.