“This is where it really counts”

There are five more games left in the Bundesliga season and 15 points up for grabs. Hertha’s goal between now and the end of the season is to pick up as many points as possible because in the fight for survival, every single point counts. Hertha have three games against fellow strugglers on the horizon, starting with a trip to Augsburg on Saturday afternoon (15:30 CEST). “We are coming up against a team who are in good form. Their results speak for themselves,” said Felix Magath in his press conference ahead of the game. “We do not want to leave empty-handed,” added the 68-year-old. The gaffer, however, does not see the pressure that Hertha are under as a hindrance: “We have to use the pressure to our advantage. A positive thing about our situation is that everyone knows what is at stake. There are no more excuses. This is where it really counts.” Here are the most important bits from his press conference on Friday afternoon:

We have recuperated after the derby defeat and are now focused on Augsburg. It will be a completely different game to last Saturday. We are coming up against a team who are in good form. Their results speak for themselves. However, they arguably don’t have as much quality as Union and we want to be involved in the game. The day-to-day mood after the derby has improved and we are well prepared for this match. We do not want to leave empty-handed.

We met at the training complex, had a bite to eat and watched the Champions League together. The derby is in the past now. We are looking to the future and raring to go against Augsburg, where we have lots to prove.

I arrived late to the party and we have a limited time to turn things around. I am relatively happy with three points from the first three games because we have come up against three good teams. We have games against relegation rivals on the horizon and we will need to be committed and show fight if we are to do well.

We have been under pressure since day one. We have to use the pressure to our advantage. A positive thing about our situation is that everyone knows what is at stake. There are no more excuses. This is where it really counts. In the next few weeks, we are coming up against teams we can really compete with and we will need to show that we are up to the task.

Marvin Plattenhardt is essential for us. We haven’t been threatening enough going forwards and we havent been dangerous enough in the final third. Platte gives us hope in this sense. His set pieces are superb and they always pose a threat. He’s ready for it.