Match Previews

Hamburg with 1 leg in the next round after 3-1 away win at Zurich.... solid 3-0 home win over Bochum in the Bundesliga.... team captain van der Vaart (k)(mid) and Atouba (r)(def) both out injured.... Boateng (r)(def) back from injury.... Zidan (sp)(att) and Castelen (sp)(mid) both out injured.... Hamburger SV made a giant step to qualification for the next round already last week when they claimed a 3-1 away at Swiss side FC Zurich in the first leg. Hamburg played an impressive game giving nothing away at the back, while 2nd half goals from Jarolim, Olic and Trochowski wrapped up a comfortable win for them. On Saturday they underlined their fine form with a solid 3-0 home win over Bochum in the Bundesliga which sees them climb into 3rd place for now. The most positive aspect of the win over Bochum was that the team proved that they can cope with influential team captain van der Vaart, who was out with an ankle injury as Jarolim played an impressive match on the play maker position which he crowed by 2 goals. In this light Hamburg can look with justified confidence to Thursday's home game against Zurich which should normally be a formality. Early team news is that van der Vaart remains out injured. Updated news is that left-back Atouba, who returned too late from the Africa Cup, had to undergo light surgery and is not yet fit enough to be included in the squad. Coach Stevens basically has no reason to change his formation and playing system from last weekend. This means that Jarolim should continue to replace team captain van der Vaart in attacking midfield, while Kompany and de Jong form a strong duo in defensive midfield. The usual 1 striker system in on the cards again in which Guerrero should start in a role as lone striker. Latest team news is that midfielder Castelen, who was rated doubtful, is confirmed out injured, which also goes for support striker Zidan. Good news on the other hand is that defender Boateng returns from injury, but it looks like he will start from the bench at first.