onward Die Adler!

By: Ollie | December 12th, 2008

After last weeks 4-0 romp over VfL Bochum, die Adler must play with the same passion against Hamburger SV. After an up and down first half of the season, Martin Jol seems to have his club well on the upswing and within only four points of first place. In front of their home fans, they will be looking to impress. With Frankfurt giving up nine goals in their previous two matches away from home, if die Adler is to be successful they will need to show great focus and display better quality defending.

The winter break could not come at a better time for Friedhelm Funkel as his injury plagued roster has stretched his tactical abilities and definitely proven his worth. Facing Hamburger they are without Ioannis Amanatidis, Zlatan Bajramovic, Chris, Ümit Korkmaz, Alexander Meier, Oka Nikolov, Christoph Preuss and Christoph Spycher. Hopes tomorrow will be cast towards continued excellence of Nikos Liberopoulos, Markus Steinhöfer, Junichi Inamoto and Patrick Ochs who stood out last week.

Hamburg’s injury issues are additionally a problem as Thimothee Atouba, Romeo Castelen, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Nigel de Jong and Bastian Reinhardt are injured with Guy Demel suspension.

Friedhelm Funkel is likely to address this match with a much greater defensive stance. Eager to keep a top-flight club off the score-sheet he said:

“The longer it stands 0-0, the higher are chances are.”

Please do not forget to stop by Chris’ blog on Hamburg!