HSV coach Tim Walter doesn't let any sloppiness get away with the Bundesliga return project.
"We have rules," he said after the 1-1 (1-0) in the second division top game at SV Darmstadt 98 for the short-term banishment of Bakery Jatta from the starting XI. "It's about fundamental things, about how we live together. I don't care whether we play against Darmstadt or anyone else," explained Walter.
Lack of discipline should not jeopardize the good chances of advancement despite the draw after five years in the second division. The demotion of top performer and striker Jatta turned out to be an unintentional stroke of luck on Saturday evening: Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer, who had been called up for him, scored the opening goal after barely four minutes. "If one is late, it's a joy for the one and a sorrow for the other," said Walter coolly.
Walter got backing from the team. "Bakery made a mistake and got paid for it," said central defender Sebastian Schonlau. "You can't and shouldn't do that," said the profiteer Königsdörffer. He is confident that, despite the fact that HSV (45) has the same point gap to Hessen (49), not much has changed in terms of good prospects: "We are a strong squad and haven't lost a game in the second half of the season. I I hope it stays that way, then hopefully we can make the climb."
HSV "not happy" with a draw
However, the Hanseatic League have to improve their performance again in order to defend second place in the remaining twelve league games. Especially since third-placed 1. FC Heidenheim have moved up to two points behind HSV with a 1-0 win at Arminia Bielefeld thanks to a goal from Stefan Schimmer.
"The point is okay, but we're not really satisfied because we can play better and bolder," said midfielder Jonas Meffert. Instead, Darmstadt were given more space and more opportunities to equalize, one of which Filip Stojilkovic (81st) used.
"If you don't play a good game, you have to keep the lead," complained HSV goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes and found approval from Coach Walter: "Unfortunately, we didn't make it, and that's why we're satisfied with the point. We're happy but we still don't care about that."
Darmstadt meets pursuers
While Hamburger SV will have to deal with 1. FC Nürnberg, now coached by ex-coach Dieter Hecking, and then with Karlsruher SC next Saturday, the Darmstadt team, unbeaten in 21 games, will meet the two other pursuers Heidenheimer in the next three weeks SB and 1. FC Kaiserslautern. After the 3-1 win against Greuther Fürth on Saturday, Lauterer have 38 points in fifth place and thus one less than fourth-placed SC Paderborn after the 1-1 draw in Kiel.
"It's still a long journey, of course. Even if you see what games are still waiting for us," said Darmstadt's defensive midfielder Fabian Holland. He warned not to dream of promotion too early. "I don't think spitting big sounds has ever been our thing, and that's why we're looking at Heidenheim."
HSV entourage stopped by wrong-way driver
After the final whistle, it was a long return journey for the HSV entourage from Darmstadt back to the metropolis on the Elbe. "Our boys came back from Darmstadt at 8 a.m. this morning," said the Hanseatic League on Sunday morning. "The team was stuck on the A7 for about two hours due to a wrong-way driver." For the discipline-minded coach Walter, this was no reason to send the players to bed quickly: After their arrival, they still had to go to a training session including strength training.
