In an insane soccer game, VfB Stuttgart shocked Hamburger SV and entered the decisive phase with strengthened minds. Will the race to catch up become the key experience for the climb? The HSV faces a bitter déjà vu.
Stuttgart (AP) - The morning after his most emotional moment with VfB Stuttgart, Pellegrino Matarazzo received his players a little tired for breakfast. The coach hadn't slept much either.
After the exciting comeback win over Hamburger SV, it was difficult "to close your eyes," he said. The mood was relieved, but still very calm.
"Of course it releases an enormous amount of energy," Matarazzo clarified. This psycho-effect may decide the fight for promotion in the 2nd Bundesliga. The VfB can take much more than just the three points in the last four weeks of the season. And with the kick of the extra time hit by Gonzalo Castro, the last disappointing VfB wants to free himself from his uncertainty. The HSV, on the other hand, has to put up with a mental low impact that could have an effect and bring back memories of the missed Bundesliga return a year ago.
The "Lucky Punch" and the 3: 2 after a 0: 2 in the top game were so important, "according to the table and for psychology", admitted Matarazzo. In contrast, HSV coach Dieter Hecking said: "You can't just shake it out."
The crazy soccer game could thus be the pioneer for VfB to win the duel with HSV for the direct promotion rank behind Bielefeld. However, a forecast is uncertain. The standings are too tight, VfB appearances were too shaky, doubts remain appropriate. Already on Sunday (1.30 p.m. / Sky) in Dresden the mood could change again if the Swabians showed the face of the first half. Matarazzo also knows that his team is still a long way from having a "right winning mentality" or being "a masterful team".
The Stuttgart were just about to slip even deeper into the crisis after the goals of Joel Pohjanpalo (16.) and Aaron Hunt (45. + 2 / penalty) with the third loss in a row. Matarazzo did not want to reveal what exactly was said in the cabin. The louder than usual pause speech apparently had an effect and led to the turn with the goals of Wataru Endo (47th), Nicolas Gonzalez (60th / penalty) and Castro (90th + 2). It was "shredded," said Pascal Stenzel: "Then everyone was awake." Shouldn't that be a matter of course in the top game? It raises questions as to why VfB was less passionate about printing for more than 90 minutes and showed a performance that was more ready for promotion.
When the substitute Castro thrown his jersey into the air for joy and the Stuttgart team freaked out, the frustration was released. According to Matarazzo, it was "impossible" for him to meet the recommendations of the hygiene concept for cautious cheers: "In the end it is a feeling that will last a lifetime." A horn concert resounded from the street into the stadium. "It was hugely important for the head," said Castro.
The Hamburgers, on the other hand, were shocked, like Timo Letschert, squatting deeply disappointed in the gang or like Adrian Fein, sunken on the grass. He must now "give his team the support they need," said Hecking: "We have to get up again."
Because there is a bitter déjà vu. Last season, the Hanseates started as winter champions in the second half series - and then crashed into fourth place. The safely believed climb was gone. On Sunday against Wiesbaden there is pressure on the Hamburgers not to slide off the relegation site.
