It was like taking a trip back in time. “Just three wins away from Europe,” read the title of the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper. Bild spoke of a “cup party” for Hamburger SV, while the Morgenpost said, “HSV are dreaming of Berlin.”
The atmosphere in the northern city was reminiscent of back in the days when HSV were one of Germany’s top teams, regularly challenging for titles and trophies. However, after their 2-0 DFB Cup win over Bundesliga rivals 1. FC Köln, the Hamburg players themselves were quick to switch focus back to the most important task at hand: staying in the top flight.
Adler: "We have to stay grounded"
“It’s a great feeling to have made the quarterfinals, but we have to stay grounded and think one game at a time,” said goalkeeper René Adler, before looking ahead to Hamburg’s next match against RB Leipzig on Saturday. “We have another tough opponent coming up, but we will go there off the back of two wins and will be looking to take something back home with us.”
HSV have every right to be full of confidence when they travel east to Leipzig, especially considering their display against an ambitious Köln side. Despite coach Markus Gisdol making six chances to the team that beat Leverkusen 1-0, the Bundesliga’s 16th-placed side dominated the game, dictated the play and worked a number chances.
Walace provides the link in midfield
The Volksparkstadion was in full voice after goals from Gideon Jung and Bobby Wood allowed the fans to dream of a potential final in Berlin on 27th May. After all, it’s been 30 years since the last of their overall three cup triumphs.
January signing Walace really showed off his potential on Tuesday evening, with the Brazilian Olympic champion always looking to get on the ball in midfield, oozing composure and really taking the game the by the scruff of the neck alongside Jung. “It was a very solid and courageous performance from him,” praised Gisdol.
Bad memories
A seemingly new-found strength at home could play a very important role in the battle against relegation. After three league wins, HSV made it four straight victories on home soil in all competitions with their cup triumph over Köln. With eight of their remaining 15 top-flight matches due to take place at the Volksparkstadion, not to mention their last-eight clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach, there’s good reason to be optimistic.
But Hamburg have been here before. A win over Köln saw them through to the quarterfinals in 2014 as well. Their cup journey ended there with a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Bayern München, and come the end of the season, their Bundesliga status was only saved in a tense relegation play-off. HSV will be hoping their journey takes a different path this time around.
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It was like taking a trip back in time. “Just three wins away from Europe,” read the title of the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper. Bild spoke of a “cup party” for Hamburger SV, while the Morgenpost said, “HSV are dreaming of Berlin.”
The atmosphere in the northern city was reminiscent of back in the days when HSV were one of Germany’s top teams, regularly challenging for titles and trophies. However, after their 2-0 DFB Cup win over Bundesliga rivals 1. FC Köln, the Hamburg players themselves were quick to switch focus back to the most important task at hand: staying in the top flight.
Adler: "We have to stay grounded"
“It’s a great feeling to have made the quarterfinals, but we have to stay grounded and think one game at a time,” said goalkeeper René Adler, before looking ahead to Hamburg’s next match against RB Leipzig on Saturday. “We have another tough opponent coming up, but we will go there off the back of two wins and will be looking to take something back home with us.”
HSV have every right to be full of confidence when they travel east to Leipzig, especially considering their display against an ambitious Köln side. Despite coach Markus Gisdol making six chances to the team that beat Leverkusen 1-0, the Bundesliga’s 16th-placed side dominated the game, dictated the play and worked a number chances.
Walace provides the link in midfield
The Volksparkstadion was in full voice after goals from Gideon Jung and Bobby Wood allowed the fans to dream of a potential final in Berlin on 27th May. After all, it’s been 30 years since the last of their overall three cup triumphs.
January signing Walace really showed off his potential on Tuesday evening, with the Brazilian Olympic champion always looking to get on the ball in midfield, oozing composure and really taking the game the by the scruff of the neck alongside Jung. “It was a very solid and courageous performance from him,” praised Gisdol.
Bad memories
A seemingly new-found strength at home could play a very important role in the battle against relegation. After three league wins, HSV made it four straight victories on home soil in all competitions with their cup triumph over Köln. With eight of their remaining 15 top-flight matches due to take place at the Volksparkstadion, not to mention their last-eight clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach, there’s good reason to be optimistic.
But Hamburg have been here before. A win over Köln saw them through to the quarterfinals in 2014 as well. Their cup journey ended there with a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Bayern München, and come the end of the season, their Bundesliga status was only saved in a tense relegation play-off. HSV will be hoping their journey takes a different path this time around.
