1. FC Kaiserslautern recently ended its winless streak against Schalke 04 in the 2nd league. A first step – which will be followed by the next one in the DFB Cup quarter-finals at Hertha BSC (Wednesday, 8:45 p.m.).
A lot fell from 1. FC Kaiserslautern after the furious 4-1 win against FC Schalke 04. It was the first win in the 2nd league after seven defeats in a row across the years.
YouTube video from SWR Sport Fußball: “The FCK lets it rip against Schalke. YOUR FCK #99 | SWR Sport”
Goal: keep the momentum going
The Red Devils are going into the DFB Cup quarter-finals against league rivals Hertha BSC with a slightly broader chest than before. Coach Dimitrios Grammozis spoke of a more relaxed mood among the Palatinate team. The 45-year-old wants to take the latest momentum into the game at the capital club.
Dimitrios Grammozis: “We must not switch back”
“You can tell that things are a little easier for the players now and a burden has been lifted. The fact that we are going to Berlin with a positive result certainly makes the whole thing a little easier for us,” said the coach, but at the same time warned: “We We can’t switch back. We can only win if we give 100 percent. That’s why we won’t make the mistake of resting.”
“Everyone enjoys this game and wants to be as successful as possible”
The team is also aware of that, Grammozis continued: “We know that we have taken a step, but that doesn’t mean that everything is peace and joy for us. We have to keep at it, we mustn’t slow down. We still have to many more steps to follow.” But the players are “very focused, everyone enjoys this game and wants to be as successful as possible.”
Clear message: “We want to move forward”
His team is looking forward to the “highlight game” at Hertha. “Now we’re going to Berlin – which actually always means the final,” said Grammozis, with a clear announcement: “We’re not going there to enjoy the atmosphere, we want to get ahead. We want to take the next step there. “
The DFB Cup is a very special competition for 1. FC Kaiserslautern, explained the former professional. “It is very important here because it is very important both sportily and financially. That’s why playing at Hertha BSC is very attractive for the players and me.”
Photo gallery
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Further back on track via Hertha BSC
In the quarter-final duel, Grammozis continued, the recent upward trend should be confirmed – because nothing has been achieved through the win against Schalke alone. “We want to move forward in terms of content at Hertha and then also score points in the championship.”
The fans should once again be a factor for the Red Devils in the sold-out Berlin Olympic Stadium. The two-time cup winners Kaiserslautern will be accompanied and supported by around 10,000 supporters.
In Berlin, FCK will only be missing the injured Hendrick Zuck and Philipp Hercher. At the beginning of the week, number two Andreas Luthe left the club for VfL Bochum. In return, the Red Devils signed keeper Robin Himmelmann, who could already take a seat on the bench at Hertha.
Broadcast on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 6:00 a.m., SWR Aktuell in the morning, SWR Aktuell