bastian
Dec 6 2003, 02:45 AM
04.12.2003
"The game is forgotten"
"Was the defeat a good or a bad thing, did it come at the right or wrong time? We will have to wait and see on Saturday," said VfB team manager Felix Magath at today's press conference after the Cup defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach and ahead of the Bundesliga match against Hamburger SV. "I do, however, know one thing for sure. It would be wrong to blame the goalie. It wasn't his fault that Gladbach could do anything they wanted to do," insisted Magath and at the same time criticised the all-round team performance in the match against Gladbach.
Cup defeat is in the past
"Football is about playing as a team and that is what we will have to do again. Nonetheless the Cup defeat is now in the past. We were knocked out and it is a shame that we are no longer involved in the competition because numerous Bundesliga outfits are already out. We will have to forget Berlin for this year and can now concentrate on the Bundesliga again," continued Magath. Goalie Timo Hildebrand supported a similar opinion. "I am sure that we will put the defeat behind us very quickly. It is a shame that we missed out on our chance, when you consider the teams that have been knnocked out already. Nonetheless the game against Gladbach is in the past and we are already concentrating on the next match against Hamburg," said Hildebrand.
No physical problems
It is exactly what Felix Magath is demanding from his players at the moment because in his opinion the team is by no means tired after the numerous games this season, even if that is what the media is suggesting at the present. "The same time last year we had already played 30 games. This season we have only played 22. We didn't have any problems dealing with the amount of matches last season and therefore we don't have to speak about now either," insisted Magath.
Good HSV attack
"It is all a question of the players wanting to invest what is needed to get a win. It is unheard of that the leading side in the Bundesliga all of a sudden feels tired and that is why the match against Hamburg has come along at just the right time," said the team managed, who is looking forward to the match against his former club. Even though Hamburg have been hit by countless injuries this season Magath is sure that the visitors have got enough quality in the side. Magath is especially impressed with Hamburg's potential up front. He described Naohiro Takahara as an "interesting players", Sergej Barbarez as "good in the air and on the ball, a killer in front of goal and very experienced" and Mehdi Mahdavikia already showed what he is capable of when VfB last took on Hamburg.
Hildebrand and Lahm to return
Magath continued to explain that Hamburg's new coach Klaus Toppmöller is known to play attacking football and therefore the fans could look forward to an interesting match. "It has got to be a good game because we want to bounce right back from our defeat. I have nearly all of my players available. I can also say that Timo will be back in goal and Philipp Lahm will also return at left-back," said Magath. The team manager is also optimistic that defender Marcelo José bordon will also be able to return soon. Magath explained that the Brazilian was working extremely hard at the moment. Nonetheless the coach couldn't say when Bordon would be back.
"We can't afford another defeat"
When asked about his feelings for his former club Magath answered: "I can assure you that I feel stronger about winning than about the past. I always want to win and victory would help us going into the match against Manchester. Hamburg can win every game after this one."
Magath is absolutely sure that his side can beat Hamburg. "We have ourselves to blame for the defeat on Tuesday and all of the players are mad with themselves. We simply can't afford another defeat," said an optimistic Felix Magath. Despite losing in Mönchengladbach he also saw some good things in the match. "It was great to see that Kevin Kuranyi was back to his best. He was just as dangerous as he used to be. Now I want to see Kevin in the same sort of form in the match against Hamburg," said Magath
"The game is forgotten"
"Was the defeat a good or a bad thing, did it come at the right or wrong time? We will have to wait and see on Saturday," said VfB team manager Felix Magath at today's press conference after the Cup defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach and ahead of the Bundesliga match against Hamburger SV. "I do, however, know one thing for sure. It would be wrong to blame the goalie. It wasn't his fault that Gladbach could do anything they wanted to do," insisted Magath and at the same time criticised the all-round team performance in the match against Gladbach.
Cup defeat is in the past
"Football is about playing as a team and that is what we will have to do again. Nonetheless the Cup defeat is now in the past. We were knocked out and it is a shame that we are no longer involved in the competition because numerous Bundesliga outfits are already out. We will have to forget Berlin for this year and can now concentrate on the Bundesliga again," continued Magath. Goalie Timo Hildebrand supported a similar opinion. "I am sure that we will put the defeat behind us very quickly. It is a shame that we missed out on our chance, when you consider the teams that have been knnocked out already. Nonetheless the game against Gladbach is in the past and we are already concentrating on the next match against Hamburg," said Hildebrand.
No physical problems
It is exactly what Felix Magath is demanding from his players at the moment because in his opinion the team is by no means tired after the numerous games this season, even if that is what the media is suggesting at the present. "The same time last year we had already played 30 games. This season we have only played 22. We didn't have any problems dealing with the amount of matches last season and therefore we don't have to speak about now either," insisted Magath.
Good HSV attack
"It is all a question of the players wanting to invest what is needed to get a win. It is unheard of that the leading side in the Bundesliga all of a sudden feels tired and that is why the match against Hamburg has come along at just the right time," said the team managed, who is looking forward to the match against his former club. Even though Hamburg have been hit by countless injuries this season Magath is sure that the visitors have got enough quality in the side. Magath is especially impressed with Hamburg's potential up front. He described Naohiro Takahara as an "interesting players", Sergej Barbarez as "good in the air and on the ball, a killer in front of goal and very experienced" and Mehdi Mahdavikia already showed what he is capable of when VfB last took on Hamburg.
Hildebrand and Lahm to return
Magath continued to explain that Hamburg's new coach Klaus Toppmöller is known to play attacking football and therefore the fans could look forward to an interesting match. "It has got to be a good game because we want to bounce right back from our defeat. I have nearly all of my players available. I can also say that Timo will be back in goal and Philipp Lahm will also return at left-back," said Magath. The team manager is also optimistic that defender Marcelo José bordon will also be able to return soon. Magath explained that the Brazilian was working extremely hard at the moment. Nonetheless the coach couldn't say when Bordon would be back.
"We can't afford another defeat"
When asked about his feelings for his former club Magath answered: "I can assure you that I feel stronger about winning than about the past. I always want to win and victory would help us going into the match against Manchester. Hamburg can win every game after this one."
Magath is absolutely sure that his side can beat Hamburg. "We have ourselves to blame for the defeat on Tuesday and all of the players are mad with themselves. We simply can't afford another defeat," said an optimistic Felix Magath. Despite losing in Mönchengladbach he also saw some good things in the match. "It was great to see that Kevin Kuranyi was back to his best. He was just as dangerous as he used to be. Now I want to see Kevin in the same sort of form in the match against Hamburg," said Magath