– Phoenix coach before BVB match: “A scoreboard in front of us”
1. FC Phoenix Lübeck coach Cristiano Adigo sees the role of clear underdog in the DFB-Pokal match against Borussia Dortmund as an opportunity. “That’s a real test ahead of us. We’re aware of that. But we’ll be ready,” said the 52-year-old at a press conference in Hamburg ahead of Saturday’s first-round match (6:00 p.m./Sky).
Nobody had given David a chance against Goliath, Adigo said. “But we all know how it ended,” he added. For an upset to occur, a lot would have to fall into place. “We can only hope that Borussia underestimate Phoenix Lübeck.” The match will be played at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion due to security reasons. Phoenix’s Buniamshof stadium only has a capacity of 3,000. Playing at the home rival VfB Lübeck’s stadium in Lohmühle would have been difficult due to fan rivalries.
Almost 50,000 tickets have been sold
Two days before the match in Hamburg, 49,700 tickets had already been sold. 16,000 were for Dortmund, 3,000 for Lübeck fans. The Volksparkstadion has 57,000 seats, with 10,000 reserved for HSV fans.
The lease agreement is not to everyone’s liking. During the second league match against Hertha BSC on Saturday, some protested with banners.
“Playing like a good guy with Donetsk. Only thinking about the Ashes with Phoenix. Our stadium is not an Airbnb, you vultures!” wrote the ultras on a banner. HSV had already made its stadium available to Ukrainian Champions League club Shakhtar Donetsk.
Adigo is taking this discontent philosophically. “We know that Hamburger SV has a very good and great fan culture. And everyone can express their opinion,” said the coach. “There is no need to analyse it too much.”
Adigo acknowledged the discontent of some HSV fans about sharing the Volksparkstadion with FC Phoenix Lübeck. “We understand that Hamburger SV has a rich fan culture and everyone has the right to express their opinions,” he said. Ahead of the match against Borussia Dortmund, Adigo expected, “Perhaps Borussia will underestimate Phoenix Lübeck, as FC Phoenix Lübeck is the first.”
