Kramer: “The lads are ready and willing”

The 40 year old didn't want to set an exact aim for the match on Friday. “It's about fulfilling the task ahead of us as a team by being aggressive and doing lots of running. If we do the right things, then we can also look to pick up three points. The lads are certainly ready and willing“, said Kramer, whose motto is “I always want to win!” The Memmingen-born coach expects Hamburg to emerge as the dominant side. “HSV are a very strong home side, but a side that plays as dominantly as they do also leaves space for us to attack into. We have to be wide awake.”

Rudy back in 1899-squad

Hamburger SV will have to do without Rafael van der Vaart and Maximilian Beister due to injury. However, Kramer doesn't see the absence of the playmaking Dutchman as a major advantage. “HSV are a little more unpredictable because the other attacking players can advance more. That's more difficult to defend against compared to the ball landing at van der Vaart's feet every time.”

Sebastian Rudy returns to the squad after his one-match suspension for TSG. On the other hand, Chris, Stefan Thesker, Jannik Vestergaard and Tim Wiese are all missing due to injuries. Tobias Weis has returned to the side after not being able to fully train for the last four weeks with a knee injury.

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