HSV’s calculations have worked for now
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From the half-time whistle on Sunday at the Volksparkstadion, everything was going well. HSV led 3-0 against Magdeburg and were able to breathe a sigh of relief after the prolonged absence of Robert Glatzel – just like Stefan Kuntz, because his calculations paid off. In an interview, Rothosen’s sporting director explained why they could not find a replacement among the non-club alternatives available on the market and, in particular, why former local player Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting could not be a solution.
Kuntz was approached by “Sport Bild” about Choupo-Moting. The answer: “First, it would not be financially feasible for us.” team and great team spirit. Then someone is gone for a longer period of time and we immediately call in someone else. That would be a bad signal. We have a lot of confidence in our team, as the 3-1 victory against Magdeburg showed. » Glatzel will be out for several months with a torn tendon.
In addition to Ransford Königsdörffer, who is currently Hamburg’s top scorer after Glatzel (23, five goals), new recruit Davie Selke also gives hope that his colleague’s defeat will not be too serious. On Selke, who has scored four times in front of goal in the last five league matches, Kuntz said he should avoid a « deja vu experience ». The sports boss was probably referring to the recurring disappointment after narrowly missed promotions in the soon-to-be seven-year history of HSV’s second division (an overview of all HSV rankings).
Kuntz: Selke fulfilled an important criterion for HSV during the summer transfer window
Kuntz explained that they had « an important criterion internally when signing new players during the summer transfer phase » and clarified this in reference to the former Cologne player: « Davie Selke, for example, was also chosen because of his characteristics, a team on the field and « leading, especially in the locker room, was consciously brought. »
Overall, in the opinion of the former professional, there is a good sporting basis to achieve the goal of a definitive return to the Bundesliga. « Basically, a lot of things are first-class at HSV, but (Site notre bureau spécialisé) still has to work on it, » Kuntz said. “I told the team before the season.”
The team needs more consistency. “We need to get to the point where every player is at least capable of consistently delivering their baseline performance,” Kuntz says. “This guarantees greater success than if the downward and upward fluctuations are too great. What I still miss: we don’t bring enough emotion into the stands, the interaction with our fans can be even better.
The future of coach Steffen Baumgart, who is only tied up until the end of the season, also depends on success. Asked about a possible extension, Kuntz explained: “We talk a lot, but his contract has never been an issue. I also have the impression that Steffen is saying to himself: Now let me deliver first – then the other things can be taken care of quickly.