Hamburger vs Werder Bremen preview - Diekmeier relishing derby day

Posted Saturday, November 22, 2014 by PA

Dennis Diekmeier says he cannot wait for the "most awesome game around" as Hamburg prepare to host Werder Bremen in a northern Germany derby this Sunday.

The 25-year-old right-back began his career with Bremen, but makes no secret of the fact he is and always a Hamburg fan, even if he kept it quiet back then.

"I wasn't really allowed to show it during my Bremen time," the Hamburg player told Kicker magazine. "I'm delighted I'm now able to play this derby from the other side."

It is not Diekmeier's first derby but will arguably be one of the most important with both sides battling for their lives at the foot of the table.

"Hamburg against Werder is the most awesome game around," he said.

"I don't want to stoke the coals, even though I always found it great when (former Werder goalkeeper) Tim Wiese would heat things up with his banter.

"We've got to ensure we win this one. With the derby starts a run of games against sides we are on a level with and we've got to beat them.

"Last season, we failed to win these kinds of game, losing twice to Werder, and that was our biggest problem."

Both northern rivals occupy positions inside the bottom three and both have already changed coach this season.

Were the season to end now, Bremen, who turned to Viktor Skripnik after relieving Robin Dutt of his duties, would face a play-off to avoid relegation while Hamburg, currently coached by Josef Zinnbauer after he replaced Mirko Slomka, would go straight down.

There is only one point between the two sides, though, and plenty of the season still to go, with ample chance for both to stay up.

Hamburg's hopes have been dealt a blow, though, with the loss of Marcell Jansen to injury, although Bremen are without their top scorer Franco Di Santo.

"I feel sorry for him, but I know Bremen have some other good forwards to replace him," said Zinnbauer at a press conference.

"But I can't concern myself with that, I've got to focus on our own team and our own attack."

That should be led by Pierre-Michel Lasogga, supported by Nicolai Muller, Rafael van der Vaart and Lewis Holtby.