Friday, July 23, 2021 at 10:13 am• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 10:33

In Germany, the 2. Bundesliga starts on Friday evening. At the second level in Germany, a topper is immediately on the program, as Hamburger SV and Schalke 04 meet in the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. Where HSV was the team to beat for three years, that honor has now been awarded to Schalke. Rafael van der Vaart, who wore the shirt of HSV in the past 199 matches, calls it a loss that two clubs with such a track record do not act at the highest level.

Van der Vaart is still in good shape in Germany, having won the hearts of HSV fans between 2005-2008 and 2012-2015. The former midfielder has scored 66 goals and provided 55 assists in six seasons. “It is a disgrace for Schalke to have to play against HSV at the second level in Germany”, Van der Vaart immediately withdraws. BILD. “For me, the second division is much more interesting than the Bundesliga. Anyone can beat anyone. In the Bundesliga there is only one club with a chance of winning the title: Bayern Munich.”

For Hamburg it is already the fourth season on the second level. that Rothosen failed to secure promotion to the Bundesliga on three occasions, finishing fourth all seasons. “The entire competition wanted to beat Hamburg for three years,” Van der Vaart continues. “From now on, everyone wants to beat Schalke. Both clubs belong in the Bundesliga and must ensure that they return there as soon as possible.” Van der Vaart certainly does not think HSV has a chance on Friday evening. “If the players can control their nerves, believe in their game system and don’t let their concentration get out of hand, they could start well.

“It’s just difficult to work strategically, future-oriented and ultimately successful”, Felix Magath adds the Welt. “Unfortunately, both clubs (Schalke and HSV, ed.) have developed in such a way that they need at least two coaches per season. When it turned out that it didn’t get any better, they switched other positions within the club, such as that of sporting director at Schalke.” At the end of February, the club from Gelsenkirchen, which last season functioned as last year’s closing act, fired trainer Christian Gross, technical director Jochen Schneider, team manager Sascha Riether and fitness and physical trainer Werner Leuthardt.