Transfer fans’ energy onto the pitch

Anfang on the upcoming Nordderby, defensive stability and the goalkeeper situation

Markus Anfang is looking forward to his first Nordderby with HSV (nordphoto).
First Team
Thursday, 16.09.2021 / 17:26

A derby with lots of firsts: Saturday night sees SV Werder Bremen and Hamburger SV meet for the very first time in the 2. Bundesliga. It will also be Markus Anfang’s first Nordderby in charge of the Green-Whites. “Games like these are the reason we love football. I’m looking forward to having our stadium bursting with positive energy – we have to transfer that onto the pitch. We can use it to our advantage,” said Anfang at his pre-match press conference.

WERDER.DE brings you the most important quotes from the boss ahead of the weekend's clash with HSV.

Markus Anfang on...

…the significance of this derby: "Games under the floodlights with this atmosphere to go with it are always special. I can sense the players pushing themselves and each other at training, they want to keep going on the same path as in recent weeks. It’s clear from what’s going on around us as well that this derby is of huge importance, for the people of Bremen and Hamburg alike. These games are why we love football and I’m happy to be experiencing it myself. Obviously everyone would rather it was a Bundesliga clash than a second division game, but this is our league at the moment and we’ve not had a derby here yet. I’m excited for the game, but there are still just three points up for grabs like in any other game. It’s important not to forget your job in all the excitement and stay focused on what you can do. The positive energy that there will be in our stadium, we need to transfer that onto the pitch and let the sparks fly." 

…Hamburger SV: "HSV have a really intense style of play. They change positions a lot, try to play their way through teams with one-twos – that will be a big challenge for us. It will be a hard-fought game with intensity and a lot of tackles. Their team also has a lot of players experienced in this league with their sights set on promotion. That’s their goal and the team has matured somewhat under their new coach."

…defensive stability: "We know our players‘ strengths and we know that Christian Groß and Nicolai Rapp can also play at holding midfield. We feel well set up with the players we have. We need to defend resolutely against a well-set-up Hamburg side. Our attitude will be crucial, but not just Nicolai Rapp has given everything in recent weeks and upheld this attitude, Niklas Schmidt for example has done the same. It was important for us to keep another clean sheet. We all want to continue defending well and keep another clean sheet. If we don’t concede then we can decide a game with just one move forward – that’s something we will have to work hard to achieve each game."  

…the goalkeeper situation: "It’s a difficult situation for both goalkeepers: Michael Zetterer has performed, but Jiri Pavlenka is also a top goalkeeper, who only got into this situation because if his injury. They both get on really well – it’s healthy and fair competition for them both and they support each other whilst also fighting for their place. It feels as though Zetti is in pole position currently, but it’s impossible to talk about a clear number one or second choice. Pavlas doesn’t deserve that, nor does Zetti. It’s positive for us all that they are thinking about this."  

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