Well-rested and fully motivated

Zlatko Junuzovic went through the full training on Friday (Photo: nph).
First Team
Friday, 21.11.2014 / 16:19

There are only two more days until the much-anticipated North Derby at Hamburg. Viktor Skripnik's team hopes to extend their current winning streak on Sunday 23 November 2014...



There are only two more days until the much-anticipated North Derby at Hamburg. Viktor Skripnik's team hopes to extend their current winning streak on Sunday 23 November 2014 at 3:30 p.m. Franco Di Santo has a knee injury and will not be able to help. The individual training for Sebastian Prödl meanwhile was solely a regenerative measure.

"Sebastian still needs one more day to regenerate so he only trained individually today. He had problems with his hip pointer but I am confident that he will be available on Sunday," said Skripnik at the pre-match press conference.

Definitely out will be Di Santo as the striker suffered a ligament injury to his right knee at training on Wednesday. It's unclear how long the Argentinean will be out. "We can only say for certain that Franco will not play in Hamburg. Everything else we will see in the coming days," said the manager of sport Thomas Eichin. Despite Di Santo's absence, Skripnik is certain that other players will step up to make up for the loss. "Why should we be scared now just because Franco is not there? We have enough strikers, everyone wants to be there and together we can compensate for the absence," said the Ukrainian coach, referring to Eljero Elia, Nils Petersen, Izet Hajrovic and Davie Selke. "We have quality. Every one of the other striker has our full trust and will give all they have if they are allowed to play on Sunday."

But the 45-year-old coach would not hint at his hand. Maybe there will even be a surprise. "Even Zlatko Junuzovic can play up front. We will wait and see about the rest of training and then decide. What's clear is that everyone wants to play." Regardless of who plays in the 101st North Derby, Skripnik is demanding one thing from his players. "We want to go to Hamburg with confidence, give our all and make sure that our fans who travel with the team can celebrate."

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