Hamburg FC

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Mathijsen talks up Hamburg

23 Feb 2010 - 09:12:21

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Netherlands international Joris Mathijsen believes there is enough class in the current Hamburg squad to see off the challenge of PSV Eindhoven in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Last week's first leg in Germany ended in a 1-0 win for the Bundesliga outfit thanks to Marcell Jansen's penalty, but Mathijsen is unconcerned by the narrow advantage.

"We have a very good team and we can beat anyone," he said. "But our second-half performance in the first leg was bad and we can't allow that to happen again.

"However, we still won at home and we didn't concede a goal which is good. We've got to try and maintain our lead on Thursday.

"In the Netherlands the quality of opposition isn't as high, you win most of your games, so every match in the Europa League is special.

"It's different in the Bundesliga. You have to fight to pick up three points in every game. PSV's stadium will be sold out on Thursday and the atmosphere will be electric."