Hamburger SV - Bayern München

This is the opener for the second half of the Season in Germany between Hamburger SV and Bayern Munich. Both sides with different aims but nevertheless it could be an interesting and exciting one. In their own stadium Hamburg managed some surprises in recent years although they are far away from the class Bayern Munich’s or Dortmund. It is always difficult to play there for these teams but if all go the normal way they should have no chance anyway. This is not the opponent they must collect Points, it is more an additional gift if.

The start into the new year was not as expected for Hamburg. It was almost seen to the end of last year that they have some problems with the team, also result showed this too. This continues this year and their preparation for this part of the Season was not so well. A lot of problems with their training sessions according to not available players due to injury or illness. In every Session Coach Labbadia has missed at least 3 up to 8 players, what makes it not possible to train well. In all parts of the team they miss players above all in attack Lasogga is a big miss with his shoulder injury and if he can not start against Bayern it is terrible for HSV. It is also very open if Coach Labbadia risk some with his doubtful players like Lasogga or Djourou because they are needed in the upcoming matches. Manager Beiersdorfer is searching for a good and well replacement but with the financial problems they can not make big steps. He mentioned additional that he expect a really hard second half and he warned already to invest all possible energy to bring this Season to a good end. The friendlies said not all but it was a really sign with losing all against Young Boys Bern 1-2, RW Erfurt 1-2 and Ajax Amsterdam 1-3. According to the actual form and squad they have to improve a lot if they do not want to start very bad and getting more and more problems. Of course they are still 7 Points ahead of the red zone but this can be gone fast.

The league leader was in Qatar for preparation to second half of the Season. They want to win all competition because it is the last half year with Guardiola on the sideline as Coach. He left the club after this Season and the new man for Season 16/17 is Carlo Ancelotti. Nevertheless some time to go with Pep and also a lot of work to do. They were preparing some other options for the upcoming matches if in league, Cup or CL. Some of the players are back like Douglas Costa, Robben and Thiago who all worked hard for their fitness. Some of the guys are not ready and return later in February maybe like Götze, Ribery, Benatia and Bernat. Despite these missing Coach Guardiola can choose from much more as to the end of last year as the top weapon with Costa is back, also important Alaba returns. A lot of options now with Thiago for Vidal or Coman for Robben, last one could not train all Sessions because of some problems but he said that he is ready or Badstuber for Martinez. In all parts of the team they have really good replacements and with the guys above back additional it should be a hard fight for the positions. If they can overcome the opponents so easy as in first half of the Season it must be seen as they had shown some weakness in all their Seasons with Guardiola in second half. The wake up call was already there because the only friendly they played was against 2.BL team KSC and they lost 1-2 with their strongest eleven. They did really hard and played not so fresh and well as in all the games recently. In this game got Rafinha injured and he should be not available for the game against HSV as well.