The team were able to celebrate Saturday’s 3-0 win against VfL Bochum before the focus shifted on Sunday to the upcoming cup clash. “As of Sunday, our focus has been on Hamburg, as we don’t have much time to prepare. But, it’s nothing new, as we’ve had a few double game weeks already,” said head coach Christian Streich, who is looking forward to the trip up north. “I haven’t been to Hamburg in a while, but always enjoy playing against HSV because they are a big club, one that I have childhood memories of as well. I enjoy going there because it’s very different to here and I have many fond memories of playing both HSV and St. Pauli. It’s always something special to play there.”

This week’s match will also be something special, with Freiburg one of just four teams left in contention to lift the DFB-Pokal this year. The aim is clear: to reach the final in Berlin. Streich made it clear that his side will not let themselves be distracted, however. “I won’t let myself get caught up in the emotions, as that’s not good for you. I’m not a dreamer – instead, I have work to do, together with my colleagues.”

Mental strength

The coaching staff have not made a final decision yet on who will be in the squad and who will start. Yannik Keitel and Kevin Schade will definitely miss the match, as will Manuel Gulde, who did not feature against Bochum due to illness. According to Streich, the team will “hype themselves up” for the game. This includes making sure to practice a couple of penalties during training, just in case. “The lads are very professional and will definitely take a few penalties during training,” the coach said.

HSV have had plenty of experience with penalty shootouts this season, having won a shootout in the second round against Nürnberg, in the last 16 against Köln and in the quarterfinals against Karlsruhe. After going three league games without a win, the Rothosen picked up an important 3-0 home win against KSC on the weekend. “The stadium will be full with HSV fans,” said Streich. “The stadium will be rocking. I hope that we have the mental toughness to play our game and to bring our strengths to the pitch.”

SC delivered a solid performance against Bochum, but Streich warns that the Pokal won’t be an easy game. “No one can believe that, just because we won a game 3-0 that we are by far the better side. It will be a very close and difficult game. We aren’t underestimating Hamburg,“ he said. After all, the goal is to reach the final. “We want to make this dream that we have fought so hard for, a reality.”

A total of 6,000 Freiburg fans are expected to make the trip to Hamburg on Tuesday. “There are lots of fans travelling with us,” Streich said. “It’s a floodlight game, and the stadium will be full – what more could we want?”

Photo: Norbert Schmidt/Imago