HSV icon speaks out on derby: "I wouldn't have dared go out on the street" | OneFootball

Rafael van der Vaart has little understanding for his HSV's performance in the city derby. The Dutchman heavily criticized the players.

The 112th Hamburg city derby was a rude awakening for HSV: The Bundesliga returnee was defeated 0-2 against FC St. Pauli, with little chance. What hurt more than the result was the manner of the performance. At least that's what club legend Rafael van der Vaart thinks!

The former HSV captain, who played at the Volksparkstadion between 2005 and 2008 and again from 2012 to 2015, did not hold back after the derby defeat. “You can lose, but the manner of it hurt more than the result,” the Dutchman explained on Bild Sport on Welt TV.

When asked how he would have behaved after such a defeat, the 2010 World Cup runner-up responded clearly: “As a player, I might not have dared to go out on the street right after such a loss. I would probably have waited a few days.”

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Van der Vaart criticizes HSV offense!

The 42-year-old particularly criticized the team's physical presence and fitness. The opponent was “clearly better,” and St. Pauli played “like adults against youths.” “When you come from the 2nd league to the Bundesliga, fitness must be top-notch. That's what I missed at HSV,” said van der Vaart.

While he hopes that the derby performance was just an “exception,” he was especially disappointed with the offense: “There's hardly any danger from open play, only from set pieces.”

But there is reason for hope: On Deadline Day, the Rothosen signed two central midfielders from FC Arsenal, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fábio Vieira. Vieira, in particular, is expected to bring new creativity to Merlin Polzin's team.

Van der Vaart, however, had much praise for the supporters. “The HSV fans are outstanding these days,” praised the TV expert. “During my active time, you would already be booed at home for a 2-2.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.