There was relief all around on the ‘Osterdeich’. Both Diego (problem with his left thigh) and Boubacar Sanogo (adductor injury) were back in time and able to take part in the final pre-match training session ahead of tomorrow’s vital Bundesliga clash with Hamburg SV. After making it through the programme unscathed, a relieved Sanogo said: “Everything is alright. I could play.”
Diego is, in his own words “Not 100% but I feel very good and I take it that I will be able to play.” At the same time, the Brazilian emphasised again just how big a chance the ‘North Derby’ could offer: “We are both in the race for a Champions League place and we have to approach the game aware of just how big a step we can take.”
On a less positive note, trainer Thomas Schaaf will have to make do without the suspended Torsten Frings.
The 18 men on the bus to Hamburg are:
Tim Wiese, Christian Vander, Petri Pasanen, Naldo, Per Mertesacker, Clemens Fritz, Patrick Owomoyela, Frank Baumann, Daniel Jensen, Jurica Vranjes, Mesut Özil, Aaron Hunt, Diego, Tim Borowski, Markus Rosenberg, Hugo Almeida, Boubacar Sanogo, Ivan Klasnic