Hannover 96 vs Hertha BSC Berlin preview - It's win or bust, claims Korkut
Posted Thursday, April 09, 2015 by PA
Hannover must pick up their first win of 2015 when they host Hertha Berlin on Friday night or they can start to plan for life in the second division, according to their coach Tayfun Korkut.
The Lower Saxony side's winless run has seen them slump to 15th in the standings, just three points clear of the relegation zone.
However, their poor form has convinced Korkut another failure to pick up three points would only accelerate their downward spiral, while it could also cost him his job.
"We need a win - nothing else counts," he said at a press conference on Thursday. "It's all about getting three points.
"We've got enough quality and the right mentality to survive in such a difficult game."
Hannover's sporting director Dirk Dufner is of a similar opinion and has backed Korkut and his team to succeed where they have failed in their last 11 attempts.
"The team and the coach give me the feeling that we're going to stay up," Dufner said defiantly.
Hertha have pulled away from the drop zone in recent weeks, but they know that a defeat would see them dragged back into danger heading into the final six games of the season, although a win would practically see them through.
"We need another four points," predicted their coach Pal Dardai. "At least."
Getting the lion's share of those on Friday is not going to be all that easy, though, with Dardai warning against underestimating their hosts.
"We're up against a good team with a good coach," he said. "Hannover are going to be favourites against us at home.
"They are a side who never give up while they look strong in terms of their individual players too."
One of those should be Joselu, who is likely to return after missing last week's draw with Frankfurt due to injury.
Leonardo Bittencourt is also back from suspension for Hannover while Dardai has only two doubts, over Marvin Plattenhardt and Roy Beerens.
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