Kempf and Stark react to Hertha's play-off first leg loss against HSV
Speaking after Hertha BSC's 0-1 relegation/promotion play-off defeat against Hamburger SV last night, Marc-Oliver Kempf and Niklas Stark underlined that it's only half-time in the tie.
Hertha BSC fell to a 0-1 defeat at the Olympiastadion in Berlin in the first leg of the relegation/promotion play-off against Hamburger SV last night, with Ludovit Reis' proving to be the difference between the two sides.
Speaking after the game, Hertha defenders Marc-Oliver Kempf and Niklas Stark expressed disappointment with the result, but also emphasized that it's only half-time in the tie.
"It was a game of few chances over the 90 minutes. Hamburg scored the goal, even if it was lucky for them that the cross went in. 'Olli' [Christensen] could do nothing about it," Kempf noted in a post-match interview and continued:
"It's tough to lose such an important game to such a freak goal, but despite everything, we know that it's only one goal – we would have had to win in Hamburg even if the game ended in a draw.
"We know we have the quality to see it through, even if we didn't show it in this game. We need to be more clear and precise on the ball in the second leg, and more confident in the final third."
Monday's second leg will be particularly special for Niklas Stark, as it will be his last game in a Hertha shirt.
"Despite everything, it's still only 1-0 – there are 90 minutes to go. We need to stay positive, because everything is still up for grabs in Hamburg. Monday's game will be a final for us, so we need to give our all – we will do just that," said Stark and added:
"My time here isn't over just yet, but I'm very thankful for it. It was important for me to go over to the fans and say my goodbyes to them."