Full focus ahead, no looking back

The 37-year-old HSV head coach explained during his pre-match press conference on Friday that the match in September has not influenced his side’s plans ahead of the trip to Regensburg. “It's clear that the game earlier on in the season was tough. Things didn’t exactly go to plan on the pitch However, the boys need no extra motivation to win, especially when you look at the current table standings. They always want to win. We don’t need to look at the previous result for extra inspiration.” Currently top of the table, HSV have built a six point cushion over St Pauli in fourth place. However, the main aim has to be to build on the current form. Last weekend’s 2-2 draw in Heidenheim was an example of how difficult it can be to grind out victories in the second tier.

HSV welcome back established full backs Douglas Santos and Gotoku Sakai back into the squad ahead of the trip to Regensburg. The Brazilian missed the draw in Heidenheim with a thigh problem while the Japanese defender missed HSV’s last two matches through suspension after picking up a straight red card in the 2-0 defeat in Bielefeld. Both players are ready to return to action and Hee-chan Hwang, who suffered a minor tear in his hip flexor, provides stiff competition for the duo on each wing. HSV will look to secure their first away win of 2019 on Sunday and Hannes Wolf admitted that his side will have to give a top performance to return with all three points. “(Jahn Regensburg coach) Achim Beierlorzer spent a lot of time at RB Leipzig and you can see this in the way Regensburg like to attack with pace and work head. They want you to feel uncomfortable on the pitch and you have to combat this.” The 51-year-old Regensburg coach and Wolf have spent time together before, completing a coaching badge together in 2009.