2025-04-30 11:55

Before our game against SC Magdeburg, we spoke with our headcoach, Xavier Pascual about his thoughts and expectations.

Maybe many people might think this will be an easy match, but it could actually be the toughest of the season. What do you think after the draw in Magdeburg?

Well, if someone thinks this will be an easy match, they are very much mistaken. Magdeburg’s players form a fantastic team. They could easily come here and win by six goals. This is a real possibility, and we must work hard to prevent it.

We have to do everything we can to win, but we must also acknowledge that we are facing an incredible team — one that can reach the Final Four and even win it. They have outstanding players, a fantastic goalkeeper, amazing backcourt shooters, and world-class wingers – they are truly a top-level team.

We must play at least at the same level we did in Magdeburg if we want a chance to advance.

What experiences did you gain from the first match? Were there any surprises, either tactically or otherwise? How did you see that game?

I think the match was very balanced. For the first 45 minutes, we were more in control. But the margin was only about 3–4 goals, and against a team of this level, that is nothing, because they can change the course of a match in an instant. With these top teams, it’s always possible. You can never be sure against them because at any moment, a decision, or an individual brilliance can completely tip the balance. What we must do is the same as we did in Magdeburg.

We have to play together with our fans. This is not just a match where the fans need to come to the arena. This is a match where they have to feel with us, push with us, and play with us – whether we are winning or losing – for all 60 minutes! We’ll see what happens, but our fans must support us constantly throughout the match. In Magdeburg, we saw how much influence the home crowd had. I am sure our supporters will be on the same, if not an even higher, level — but they must show it from the very first second! The team will fight from the very first moment. We cannot promise we will win — but we can promise we will fight, and everyone can be sure of that. And if we fight, our fans can be proud of us.

We fought in Magdeburg too, and those who were there saw how well the team performed. But now another 60 minutes await us, which will be crucial for both teams. We’ll see what happens, but we have to make the most of our home court advantage — and our supporters will play a key role in that.

What do you think we need to improve on compared to the first match?

I believe we already did a lot of fantastic things in the first match. If we hadn’t, we surely would have lost the tie right then and there. This Magdeburg team is not a team whose strength is accurately reflected by finishing fourth in their group — in my opinion, they should have finished first or second. But we know they dealt with a lot of injuries during the season, had many problems, and sometimes for them, Bundesliga matches were more important than Champions League matches.

Regardless, this is a fantastic team, with an excellent coach, and we have to perform at our highest possible level.

#RedUnited #HandballCity #StrongerTogether

MEGOSZTÁS