Ex-Red Shorts, now BVB coach: Kovac rates HSV’s season | OneFootball

For BVB coach Niko Kovac, the upcoming duel with HSV will be a very special journey into the past.

Between 1999 and 2001, the Croatian played a total of 73 competitive matches for the Rothosen. He was significantly involved in some of the most emotional moments in the club's recent history.

“I had a wonderful time at HSV and felt very comfortable in Hamburg: a great city and a big club. And my daughter was born in Hamburg. I have many fond memories of that time,” Kovac reflects in conversation with HSV.de.

Particularly unforgettable, of course, is the spectacular 4:4 against Juventus Turin in 2000. Kovac himself scored to give a temporary 4:3 lead, which was equalized by Filippo Inzaghi's goal just minutes before the final whistle. “It was one of the most formative and exciting. Not just because of the result, but also the incredible atmosphere,” he says about the “game of the century.”

Photo: Getty Images

Kovac expects a “compact” HSV

Today, Kovac assesses the Hanseatic team from the perspective of an opposing coach. “As a promoted team, HSV is having a good season so far and will also look for their chance against us,” he explains before the reunion. He particularly highlights the team’s unity: “I expect us to face a compact, defensively well-organized opponent, similar to the first half of the season.”

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On November 8, the North Germans defied the clearly favored Borussians with a surprising 1:1 draw. Just seconds before the final whistle, Ransford Königsdörffer scored the celebrated 1:1 equalizer.

This is also why Kovac believes HSV is capable of a lot. His assessment is: The team has noticeably stabilized and is now fully competitive in the Bundesliga.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.