First win in 16 years? Olic urges HSV to believe ahead of Bayern clash | OneFootball

Actually, the statistics speak for themselves. For over 16 years, HSV has been waiting for a success against FC Bayern.

Will that change this Saturday (6:30 PM, Sky)? On paper, the sporting gap between the promoted team and the league leader seems too large. However, Ivica Olic, who has worn both jerseys as a player, doesn't believe in a pre-decided duel before the North-South classic.

The former striker played 143 times for HSV and 80 times for Bayern. Olic still remembers his first time in Hamburg vividly. “That was a different HSV era. We had a lot of quality in the team. Our self-confidence was high. We felt that we could beat any team,” he recalls in the Mopo interview.

His hope for the future is also tied to this past. “Many people – including myself – would like to see HSV slowly return to the level it once was,” says Olic. Despite all difficulties, he is sure: “It is possible for HSV to one day fight for the top part of the table again.”

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The status quo, however, is different: after seven years in the lower league, the Bundesliga returnee is primarily focused on staying up. Olic finds the team's defensive approach understandable: “I think it's right to focus on a compact style of play.” Although the derby performance against St. Pauli was “harmless” in his view, he warns against taking too many risks: “That is dangerous and can quickly go the other way in the Bundesliga.”

Against Bayern, who recently lost for the first time this season, Olic expects an intense game. “They will surely come to Hamburg very motivated and a bit angry after the defeat,” he suspects. Another possible advantage: “HSV is strong at home. They can also trouble Bayern.”

Luka Vuskovic could become the decisive factor. “We don't need to talk about his potential,” says Olic about the 18-year-old and adds: “How he handles certain situations under pressure, you can't train that. You have to be able to do it.” Perhaps that's exactly what it takes to finally end the long negative streak against the record champion.

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